collocations

Lesson 1 – Family
Let’s begin our study of collocations by learning some common expressions about the family. Your
parents and siblings (brothers and sisters) are your immediate family – and your extended family
includes all your relatives – uncles, cousins, great-aunts, etc.
You can use a family tree to diagram the relationships among your family members. A person who is
related to you by a long series of connections can be called a distant relative.
If you’re lucky, you have a loving family or a close-knit family – these expressions refer to a family that
has good relationships, where everyone loves each other and helps each other. If you were raised in a
loving family, then you probably had a carefree childhood – that means you had nothing to worry about
when you were young.
On the other hand, a family in which the relationships are bad or unhealthy can be called a
dysfunctional family. If the children experience abuse, poverty, or problems with the law, we can say
they had a troubled childhood.
Perhaps the parents went through a bitter divorce – that means a separation in which there were
bad/angry feelings between the husband and wife. It’s also possible to have a messy divorce, with a
prolonged legal battle involving lots of conflicts about the separation of the former couple’s assets
(money and possessions). The decisions about the separation of assets are made in the divorce
settlement. A family in which there are divorces or separations is sometimes called a broken home.
Sometimes the mother and father fight over custody of the children – that refers to who has the
primary responsibility of caring for the kids. A judge can grant joint custody – that means the exhusband and ex-wife share the responsibility – or sole custody to only one parent. For example, a judge
might award sole custody to the mother, and the father has to pay child support – regular payments to
help with expenses for the kids.
If it was a mutual divorce/separation – that means the ex-husband and ex-wife agreed to separate
without fighting – then they will probably stay on good terms with each other (meaning to have a polite
relationship without conflicts).
If a woman gets pregnant without being married or in a relationship, then she will become a single
mother. Some women in this situation choose to have an abortion, and others prefer to give the baby
up for adoption. The time when the baby is planned to arrive is called the due date – you can also say
the baby is due in mid-October, for example.
After the woman has the baby (or gives birth to the baby), the baby is given to the adoptive parents,
who will raise the child or bring up the child as if it was their own. Sometimes, when the adopted child
is older, he or she tries to find their birth mother (biological mother).
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Lesson 2 – Relationships
When you move to a new city, it can be hard to make friends. You’ll probably have a number of casual
acquaintances – people who you know on a basic level, but with whom you don’t have a significant
relationship. Over time, some of these may become good friends or close friends – these collocations
refer to friends with whom you have an especially strong relationship.
Do you believe in love at first sight? That’s when two people meet each other and immediately fall in
love – perhaps because they have strong chemistry – this expression describes strong compatibility or
connection between two possible romantic partners. Some people believe that their significant other
(their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife) is their soul mate – this is a poetic expression that means
that two people are destined to be together.
It’s possible for one person to have feelings for another person – this expression is an indirect way to
describe romantic feelings – but if the other person doesn’t feel the same way, then the feeling is not
mutual. The other person might say “he’s/she’s just not my type” – meaning that they are interested in
people of a different type of personality/appearance. Ah, there’s nothing sadder than unrequited love!
(Love that is not returned)
Some people marry their childhood sweetheart or high school/college sweetheart – this expression
refers to a boyfriend or girlfriend from your childhood, teenage, or college years. Other couples are
introduced by a mutual friend – one friend that the two people have in common. When the couple is
ready to make a commitment, the man proposes to the woman – he asks her to marry him. If the
marriage is good, then we say the couple is happily married.
Unfortunately, not all love stories have a happy ending. Sometimes a husband or wife has an affair –
they have sex with a different person. We can also say that they are cheating on their husband/wife.
The expression “have an affair” is typically used only for married couples, and the expression “cheating
on” can be used for married couples or for boyfriends/girlfriends.
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Lesson 3 – Appearance
My best friend Joanna is absolutely gorgeous (extremely beautiful). She has long, sleek, jet-black hair
(sleek = smooth and straight, jet-black = perfectly black), pale blue eyes (pale = light color), and a
radiant complexion (skin that appears healthy and full of energy).
People always compliment her on her hourglass figure (when a woman has large breasts and hips, but a
small waist) and ask her what the secret is to maintaining such a slender waist (a thin waist). She has a
round face with an upturned nose, and she actually bears a striking resemblance (looks extremely
similar) to a famous singer.
Joanna could get any guy she wanted – so I was really surprised when she introduced me to her latest
boyfriend, who I think is hideously ugly. He has curly, shoulder-length hair that looks rather unkempt
(unkempt hair = messy hair, it appears that the person doesn’t take care of their hair).
He has a square face and a ruddy complexion (reddish skin). His deep-set eyes (eyes that are far back in
the person’s face) are almost hidden under his bushy eyebrows (big eyebrows with lots of hair), and he
sports a thick mustache and a huge, shaggy beard (a beard with lots of hair). I guess Joanna doesn’t
mind his facial hair (facial hair = beard and/or mustache).
His body isn’t bad – he has an athletic build (body with a lot of muscles), with broad shoulders (wide
shoulders) and muscular arms. If he would only trim his beard (cut his beard a little shorter) and comb
his hair, I suppose he could be considered somewhat attractive (more or less beautiful/handsome).
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Lesson 4 – Character & Behavior
When I was a teenager, I was painfully shy (extremely shy). I loved reading books, and I had a vivid
imagination (had a creative and colorful imagination). My best friend had a more outgoing personality
(she liked to be friendly and sociable) and a good sense of humor (ability to make other people laugh).
Unfortunately she was also brutally honest, and sometimes her comments hurt my feelings (made me
sad, upset, or angry).
Although I was fiercely loyal to her, she showed her true colors (revealed her true personality) when she
played a prank (did a trick) that humiliated me in front of the class. I bore a grudge (continued feeling
angry) against her for years afterwards. Now that I look back on it, I can see that she had low selfesteem (she considered herself inferior) and a bit of a mean streak (a “streak” is a tiny bit of someone’s
personality).
I've come out of my shell (become less shy) since those days; I have a thicker skin (I’m less sensitive to
criticism) and it doesn't bother me when people speak their minds (say exactly what they think, without
considering the effects of the words on others).
My biggest flaw is that I have a tendency to be arrogant – some say I have a superiority complex
(consider myself superior to others). I’ll admit that it is hard for me to swallow my pride (stop being
arrogant) and recognize when I've been mistaken about something. My resolution for the New Year is to
make a more concerted effort to put others first (consider the needs of other people more important
than my own).
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Lesson 5 – Feelings
I experienced a roller coaster of emotions when my son was born (many different emotions one after
another). During my wife’s pregnancy, I was ridiculously excited about the prospect of becoming a dad.
On the big day, I’d imagined that everything would go smoothly and we’d be blissfully happy – but there
were complications during the delivery and my wife had to have emergency surgery while I waited in the
reception area, worried sick (very worried).
As time went by, I got increasingly anxious because the doctors weren’t telling me anything. After two
hours I was seething with anger (ready to explode with anger), and I and shouted at one of the nurses.
Then the security guards came and escorted me out of the hospital.
My wife was visibly disappointed (it was obvious that she was disappointed) that I wasn’t by her side
when she woke up from surgery. She didn’t say anything – she’s not really one to show her feelings; she
prefers to bottle up her emotions (keep her emotions hidden inside her) – but I knew I had let her down
and I was terribly sorry that I had lost my temper (lost control and shown anger).
The months that followed were tough. My wife became deeply depressed, and I too was an emotional
wreck (a person who is very sad, confused, and upset) as I tried to juggle the demands of work and
family life. But now things are starting to turn around – I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the all help
we’ve gotten from our friends and neighbors.
I’m just immensely grateful that my wife and son are healthy, and sometimes I’m overwhelmed with
emotion as I reflect on how lucky we are (when emotion is so strong that it’s difficult to think or speak).
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Lesson 6 – Houses and Apartments
I recently spent a month on vacation – but instead of staying in a hotel, I looked for a short-term rental
(a place to live that can be rented for a short period of time). I ended up sharing a two-bedroom
apartment – that’s an apartment with two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen – with some friends.
It was actually cheaper than renting a studio apartment (an apartment with only one big room) all by
myself.
The apartment was on the top floor of a five-story building (that’s a building with five floors) and it had
a balcony overlooking the ocean (that means you can see the ocean from the balcony). From the roof,
we also had a nice view of the city skyline (this is another expression used when you can see something
from a certain place).
The apartment had recently been remodeled/renovated – meaning it was fixed up and improved – and
was fully furnished, so it already had furniture (beds, tables, etc.) and appliances (refrigerator, stove,
etc.)
We loved the spacious living room (the room was big), but unfortunately the bedrooms were rather
cramped (small and uncomfortable). It was nice to spend a month there, but by the end of the trip I
started to feel homesick – that’s when you feel sad because you miss your life at home.
I’d really like to have a place of my own so that I’m not throwing away money on rent every month, but
there’s a real shortage of affordable housing (houses/apartments that are reasonably priced) in my city.
Even if I stay away from the upscale neighborhoods (areas where rich people live), I’d still have to take
out a mortgage (borrow money from the bank, in order to buy a house) and it’ll take me more than 30
years to pay it off.
But still, I’m gonna start saving up for a down payment (an initial payment on a big purchase). Someday,
when I do move into a new place, I’ll be sure to throw a housewarming party (a party to celebrate
living in a new house/apartment).
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Lesson 7 – Eating
My mother radically changed her eating habits a few years ago. In the past, she ate a lot of junk food
(food that is not nutritious/healthy) and was overweight. Sometimes she would try to go on a diet (eat
less food and healthier food), but it would never last. But now she understands how unhealthy
processed foods are – they’re full of food additives (chemicals added to food) that contribute to weight
gain and heart problems.
Nowadays, she eats a balanced diet including a lot of nourishing meals (meals that are healthy and
nutritious) that she prepares herself. She doesn’t buy organic food because she thinks the prices are
outrageous, but she stocks up on fresh produce (fresh fruits and vegetables) so that she can grab an
apple or some veggies when she wants a quick snack (something small and fast to eat). She has also
learned to eat in moderation and watch her portion sizes (how much food you take).
I often stop by her house when I’m in the mood for a home-cooked meal. The other day she made a
hearty stew (a thick soup with lots of flavors and ingredients) that was full of beans and vegetables. My
brother, who has a healthy appetite (the capacity to eat a lot), had a second helping (a second portion)
– but I found the stew so filling that I could barely finish my bowl.
My mother recently told me that she’d like to try some international cuisine. I was surprised to hear
that, because a few years ago she had a bad experience after getting food poisoning (when you get sick
because of contaminated food) at a Japanese restaurant. So tomorrow I’m taking her to a Brazilian
steakhouse. I told her to eat light meals (small meals) during the day so that she doesn’t spoil her
appetite for dinner (“spoiling your appetite” means eating food earlier, and then not being hungry for a
meal later).
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Lesson 8 – Movies / Books
My brother is a huge fan of movies. When he sees a movie trailer (a short video offering a preview of
the movie), he counts down the days until the movie comes out. He always goes to the movie theater
on opening night – that’s the first day a movie, show, concert, or performance is open to the public. He
also loves to analyze the film critics’ reviews (the evaluations of the people whose job is to analyze
movies) and tries to guess which movies will be nominated for an award.
One of his favorite movie stars (famous actors/actresses) will be starring in an upcoming film about the
Vietnam War. It’s based on a true story, and they’re shooting the film on-site in Vietnam – that means
they will be recording/filming the movie in the same location as the story occurs.
This particular actor had been talking about retiring, but when he was offered the leading role (the
opportunity to play the most important part in a movie) in a film that’s sure to be a box-office hit (a
movie that is very successful) he couldn’t turn it down.
I, on the other hand, prefer books. I’m currently engrossed in a book by Stieg Larsson (the book is taking
all my attention) – it’s the final part of a trilogy, and I can’t wait to see how things turn out for the main
character (the most important person in the book). I already have a huge collection of books, and I also
borrow books from the library.
One book I took out last week deals with modern feminism and motherhood. It’s a bit of a controversial
topic, but it’s an interesting and enjoyable read. I’m not sure I’ll have time to finish it before I have to
return the book to the library. Maybe I’ll renew it for another week – that means to get an extension of
the length of time I can keep the book.
Note: We talk about the beginning and end of a book, story, or film (not the “start and finish”). The first
and last parts of a story can also be called the opening and closing scenes (in a movie) or the opening
and closing chapters (in a book).
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Lesson 9 – Music
My older brother Alex is very musically gifted (he has a natural talent for music). He can play any tune
from memory, without looking at sheet music (musical notation written on paper). He spends all his free
time strumming a guitar (playing a guitar), composing music (creating music), and writing song lyrics
(the words to a song).
Alex and his friends formed a band that has attracted a sizable following (a lot of fans) in our city. They
started out playing gigs (giving small, informal performances) in bars and clubs, and they used the
money they earned to record their debut album (record their first CD).
A remixed track (a song that has been modified electronically) from that CD then became a massive hit
(a very popular song) on the local radio station thanks to its catchy tune (memorable melody) and
upbeat tempo (fast rhythm).
Their second album will be released (it will be made available to the public) at the end of the year;
they’ll record it live at their next show. Alex dreams of going on tour – he’s just waiting for his big break
(big opportunity to become famous) to get his foot in the door of the music industry.
As for me, I love singing along (singing together) to my brother’s music, but a career in music isn’t for
me – I’m completely tone-deaf (unable to correctly identify different musical notes) and I always sing
off-key (sing the incorrect melody)!
Additional collocations:
contemporary music = modern music
classical music
orchestral/instrumental music = music with instruments only (no singing)
rock music
solo album = CD featuring one singer alone, not in a group of singers
compilation album = a CD with a collection of songs from many different singers/bands
cult following = a very dedicated/devoted group of fans
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Lesson 10 – Sports
The first important collocation involving sports is when to use the verbs play, do, and go. We typically
use play for team sports – you play soccer, play basketball, play tennis, play baseball, and play golf.
The verb do is used for more individual sports – you do yoga, do gymnastics, do martial arts, and do
aerobics. Also, in more general terms, you do exercise. Another common individual exercise is to lift
weights.
The verb go is used with most activities that end in –ing: you go swimming, go biking, go surfing, go
rock climbing, go bowling, and go fishing.
With the team sports, we can use the word game or match: a soccer game, a basketball game, a tennis
match, etc. You can win the game, lose the game, or tie the game – that’s when the final score is 1-1 or
2-2, for example.
A team can play a home game – when they play in their own stadium or field – or an away game – when
they play at the opposing team’s stadium or field. When there are many teams that are playing many
games to see which one is the best, we call this a tournament.
When one team is winning in the middle of the game – for example, 3-1 – we say that team has the
lead. However, the other team can make a comeback – score points from a losing position – and take
the lead, 4-3.
With the sports that use “do” and “go,” we typically use the word competition – a gymnastics
competition, a martial arts competition, a surfing competition, an ice skating competition, etc. The
exception is sports where you go from one place to another – like running, biking, and swimming – in
that case, we often call the event a race.
Athletes can enter a competition and try to win first place. Some athletes try to enhance their
performance with illegal substances such as steroids. But if they fail a drug test, they’ll be disqualified
from participating.
If the athlete is performing well, they may achieve a personal best – and if they perform better than
ANYONE ever has in the past, then they could even break the world record or set a new world record. If
they get injured, however, they might have to withdraw from the competition (voluntarily leave the
competition).
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Lesson 11 – Health & Sickness
There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall health and increase your
life expectancy (how long you are expected to live) – you can quit smoking, reduce stress, eat a
balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly. It’s also important to get
vaccinations/immunizations to prevent diseases. No matter how healthy you are, it’s still a good idea to
have health insurance – a program/plan to cover expenses in case of an accident or serious illness.
If you’re in a car accident, you might suffer/sustain serious injuries. Of course, if you’re wearing your
seatbelt, you’re more likely to have only minor injuries. If you’ve broken/fractured a bone – for
example, your leg – the doctor will put your leg in a cast. If you have a cut, the doctor will give you
stitches. If you have a burn, the doctor will give you an ointment to prevent infection.
If you have a minor ailment like a headache, you can take some aspirin to relieve the pain (reduce the
effects of the pain). If you suffer from a chronic condition (a condition that continues for a long time)
like allergies, asthma, back pain, or depression, there are both over-the counter and prescription
medications that can help alleviate the symptoms (an over-the-counter medication is one that you can
buy without a doctor’s prescription).
When someone has a minor respiratory infection, we say they have a cold. Don’t get too close to that
person, because you could catch a cold, too! You can “catch” other types of contagious diseases as well
– such as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).
If someone is diagnosed with a more serious illness such as cancer or AIDS, they’ll need more extensive
treatment. When a disease has progressed so far that it will be impossible to cure, then the patient is
said to be terminally ill – in other words, the person will definitely die of the disease soon.
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Lesson 12 – Computers
I’m teaching my grandmother how to use a computer. First I showed her how to start up and shut down
the computer. Then, I helped her get online or access the internet so that she can check her e-mail. She
quickly learned how to write and send messages, reply to an e-mail and forward an e-mail (send a
complete e-mail that you received to a new person), but it was a little hard for her to remember how to
attach a file to an outgoing message.
We tried to log into her bank account online, but the bank’s website was down (the website was not
functional, or was not online). There was a notice on the home page (the main page of the website) that
they were doing some scheduled maintenance on the system – so we’ll try again tomorrow.
This afternoon, I’ll teach her how to use a search engine. I think she’ll really enjoy surfing/browsing the
web (exploring the internet) and using social media. If she needs to do something more advanced, like
burn a CD (put files from a computer onto a CD), then I can do that for her.
She’s a little bit afraid of pressing the wrong key and accidentally deleting an important file, but I told
her that we can always recover the file from the recycling bin. I also explained that if the computer
freezes or locks up (stops moving/functioning), she can simply restart/reboot the computer.
It’s also a good idea for her to back up her files (make an extra copy of the information) so that she
doesn’t lose her data if the computer crashes (the computer breaks) and can’t be repaired. I installed a
program that periodically runs scans for viruses and spyware to ensure that her computer hasn’t been
infected.
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Lesson 13 – Study
Most children begin their studies at 5 or 6 years old in pre-school, followed by kindergarten. After that
comes primary/elementary school, which consists of first grade through fifth grade. Then there’s
middle school – sixth grade through eighth grade – and high school, which is ninth grade through
twelfth grade.
After high school, you apply to colleges/universities to see which ones will accept you. You send
in/submit your application and then wait for the results. If you got good grades in high school, you
might get / be awarded a scholarship to help pay the tuition (the cost of studying).
In college, you’ll take classes/courses on various subjects. You should always take notes as the teacher
is giving the lecture. Some teachers may ask the students to give/make presentations or do research
and write an essay, an assignment, a report, or a paper. After you hand in your work, the teacher will
grade the assignment (give you an evaluation, for example, 90%) and give you feedback (comments on
your work).
To evaluate your progress, you’ll take tests/exams. If you get the minimum number of points required,
you’ve passed the test; if you don’t get the minimum number of points, you’ve failed the test. It’s also
possible to pass/fail a course.
If the course proves to be too difficult, or if you don’t like it, you can withdraw from or drop the course.
“Withdraw from” is the more formal expression, and “drop” is the more informal expression.
Most college students choose a major/concentration. To talk about a concentration of studies, you can
use “major” as a verb or a noun – for example,
“I majored in biology” / “I was a biology major.”
“My daughter is majoring in philosophy.” / “My daughter’s a philosophy major.”
When you graduate from college, you’ll get a diploma. Afterwards, you can say you have a degree in
the area of your concentration. You can have a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate
(Ph.D.), for example:
“I have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.”
“I have a master’s degree in linguistics.”
“I have a Ph.D. in theology.”
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Lesson 14 – Academic English
Before you begin writing a paper, it’s a good idea to make an outline (a list of points in an organized
order) of the main points you plan to present. The next step is to gather evidence to support your
claims, since your work won’t be credible if you propose a theory (or try to challenge or refute a theory
– argue against an existing theory) without some proof.
If your paper is going to touch on several issues (talk about several topics) then you’ll need to be
especially organized. You can draw a distinction between topics that are different, or draw parallels
between examples that are similar. Another way to organize your ideas is to show how they fall into
different categories.
After making your outline and gathering the supporting evidence you’ll use to make your case (present
your argument), you can write a first draft (first version of the paper) in which you go into detail on the
topic. Then, you revise the paper (make improvements to it) until finishing with the final draft.
Let’s say you’re carrying out a study on market trends in developing countries. You can analyze the key
factors (important factors) that are influencing the economy, showing how local politics play a role/part
(have an effect) in shaping the country’s financial future. Including some specific items that are perfect
examples and clear illustrations of your ideas will help prove your points.
At the end of your paper, you should briefly summarize the material you presented and draw
conclusions based on your research. The end of the article is also a good place to raise questions
(present questions) for further study.
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Lesson 15 – Work
If you’ve just graduated from college and you’ve never had a job, you can start your career by doing an
internship (a temporary, low-level job) to gain experience. Depending on the company, the internship
could lead to an opportunity to get an entry-level job (a job that doesn’t require much skill or
experience) at the same company.
Although you might be earning minimum wage (the minimum salary required by law), if you do
excellent work and are a good team player (you cooperate well with your co-workers) you could get a
promotion (get an increase in responsibility) or get a raise (get an increase in salary) – hopefully both!
Just don’t slack off, otherwise you’ll be fired/dismissed (lose your job).
It’s normal for there to be periods of time when you have a heavy workload (a lot of work) and need to
work overtime (work extra hours). But if you have a very demanding job (an intense job with lots of
responsibilities) and you’re stressed out all the time, then it might be time to quit your job (leave your
job voluntarily) and look for another one.
Now that you have experience, you’ll be able to get a job with a more competitive salary (salary that is
higher than average) and generous benefits (extra benefits like health insurance, discounts, a company
car, etc). If you can’t find a well-paid and rewarding job in your field, it might be time for a career
change.
The typical way of applying for a job is to read the job ads in the newspaper or online, then send your
resume to the company with a cover letter. The company will then interview the candidates it feels are
most qualified, based on the job description.
Sometimes job seekers (people looking for a job) need to take a menial job (job requiring a very low
level of skill) in order to earn a living (get enough money to survive) while they’re between jobs. But if
you’re persistent, a great job offer should come your way sooner or later – maybe even for your dream
job (a job that would be perfect for you)!
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Lesson 16 – Business
If you don’t want to work for someone else, you can go into business for yourself. You can set up a
company (establish a company) in an industry that interests you – of course, it’s always good to do
market research (investigate the market), to determine if there’s a need for your product or service.
It’s normal for small businesses to operate at a loss (the business is losing money) for the first couple of
years before they start to break even – that’s when the money coming in equals the money going out. If
there’s tough competition and your start-up isn’t able to gain market share (secure a significant number
of customers), then your business runs the risk of going bankrupt (or going under) – losing all its money
and having to shut down. But if the amount of money coming into the company from sales is greater
than the amount spent on expenses, then you are making a profit.
As your business grows, you can hire/take on staff/employees. Another possibility is to make a deal
(make an agreement) with other companies to do business together – in this case, representatives from
both companies will sign a contract (put your name on a contract) that establishes each party’s rights
and responsibilities.
Whenever you’re planning to launch a new product, it’s essential to provide excellent customer service
(help for the customers). Otherwise, your customers will take their business elsewhere – they’ll start
buying from a rival company (a company that is your competitor) instead of from yours.
It’s not easy to run a business (manage a business), but with a combination of luck, skill, and hard work,
your business just might take off (become popular/successful). One way to describe a period of time of
major growth and success is to say that “business is booming.”
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Lesson 17 – Money
There are a lot of things you can do with money!
First, you need to earn money or make money – both of these verbs refer to receiving money from your
work. Another way to obtain money is to inherit money – receive money from a family member or
friend after that person dies. If the person was very rich, you could inherit a fortune (a fortune is a lot of
money).
You can take your money to the bank and make a deposit – put money into your bank account. Later,
you can make a withdrawal – remove money from your bank account. Of course, everyone likes to
spend money – use money to buy things – but it’s important not to waste/squander your money. These
verbs refer to using money in a way that’s not productive.
If money is tight (meaning you have very little money), you should make a budget – a plan for how
much to spend on things every month – and then you need to stick to the budget (continue following
the plan). Otherwise, you might be broke by the end of the month! Someone who is “broke” has no
money available.
A person who is financially savvy (intelligent, perceptive, and well-informed on the subject of money)
will always save money. It’s a good idea to have an emergency fund of at least 3-6 months of living
expenses (the amount money you use to survive in everyday life). You can also invest money in the
stock market – you could make a nice profit, but there’s also the risk of losing money if the economy
goes downhill (starts to get worse).
Let’s say you want to purchase an expensive item like a car. If you haven’t saved up money or set aside
money for the purchase, you can borrow money from the bank – which is also called taking out a loan.
The disadvantage of this is that you’ll need to pay the money back in installments – plus interest (extra
money).
When you travel, you’ll need to change/exchange money to be able to buy things with the local
currency. Make sure to change money only at official locations like banks and travel agencies –
otherwise, you could be tricked into receiving counterfeit bills (false paper money that is not legally
valid).
Finally, you can consider donating money (giving money without receiving anything in return) to a good
cause, such as preserving the environment or researching cures for diseases. Non-profit organizations
are always trying to raise money (get donations) for their various projects.
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Lesson 18 – Travel
Last week I had the worst business trip I’ve ever taken. Normally a travel agency takes care of booking
my flight (buying a plane ticket) and making my hotel reservation, but this time I decided make the
travel arrangements myself. Big mistake!
First of all, the plane was overbooked (there were more passengers than seats available) so I was
bumped to a later flight. When they gave me my new boarding pass (the ticket that allows you to enter
the airplane), they didn’t ask me if I’d prefer a window seat or an aisle seat (a seat next to the corridor)
– and I was stuck in the middle. To top it off, it was a very bumpy flight (a flight with a lot of turbulence).
I then missed my connecting flight and had a ten-hour layover (I had to wait ten hours for my next
flight) in Chicago. Unfortunately, my checked luggage (the bags in the airplane’s cargo compartment)
had already gone through to my final destination, so all I had was my carry-on bag (the bag you take
with you on the plane). I checked into a hotel near the airport just so I could take a nap.
When I finally arrived in Los Angeles, it turns out that I had made a mistake with my hotel reservation,
and instead of booking a room at a five-star hotel, I had booked three nights at a seedy hotel (a hotel
that is not very safe or comfortable) in the red-light district (an area of the city where there are many
sex shops, strip clubs, etc.)! So I was stuck sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress in a dingy room (a
dirty and dark room) while my colleagues enjoyed the luxury hotel.
The trip home was uneventful, but when I arrived I discovered that the airline had lost my luggage. All in
all it was a miserable experience.
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Lesson 19 – Weather
Do you want to know if it’ll be sunny or rainy next weekend? Then you should check the weather
forecast – that’s the prediction of the weather in the near future.
If the forecast says the sun will be shining brightly, with clear skies (no clouds in the sky) and high
temperatures, then it’s a good day to go to the beach and bask in the sunshine (or soak up the
sunshine) – these expressions mean to enjoy the sun’s heat and light.
However, if the forecast says it’ll be oppressively hot, scorching hot, or swelteringly hot, then you
might want to stay inside and turn up the air conditioning! Another common phrase is hot and humid –
that means hot with a lot of water in the air (so you will sweat a lot).
The weather forecast might say it will be partly cloudy (the sky partially covered by clouds). Another way
to say this is that there are scattered clouds (just a few clouds). If there are heavy clouds, then you
won’t be able to see the sun at all – and if there are storm clouds, then it will probably rain very soon.
One way to express this is to say “It looks like rain.”
We can have light rain (little rain) or heavy rain (lots of rain, intense rain) – and if the rain gets REALLY
intense, we can describe it as torrential rain. If the rain continues without stopping, then we call it
continuous rain or constant rain – but if it’s the type of rain that starts and stops various times
throughout the day, it’s called intermittent rain or scattered showers. When it stops raining, you can
say the rain let up.
Rain is usually accompanied by wind, which can be light/slight winds or high/strong winds. If the wind
is especially strong and violent, you can say fierce winds or gale-force winds – this last expression is
usually used for winds at the level of a hurricane. When the wind is increasing in intensity, we say “The
wind is picking up,” and when it is decreasing in intensity, we say “The wind is dying down.”
Sometimes we describe the wind with an adjective that emphasizes the cold – such as a biting wind or
an icy wind. Finally, a sudden instance of wind can be called a blast of wind or a gust of wind.
Snow, like rain, can be light or heavy. Light snow can also be called snow flurries. When the snow is
being blown around in the wind, we can describe it as driving snow or swirling snow. It can be
wonderful to walk through fresh, powdery, newly-fallen snow – but not so nice to drive on it. So we
clear the snow or plough the snow with vehicles to remove it from the roads. You can also do this
manually – that’s called shoveling the snow. At the end of winter, when temperatures rise, the snow
melts – it turns into water and disappears.
Sometimes the weather is unusual for a particular time of year. For example, in the winter, you might
have a day that is unseasonably warm, and in the summer, you might have a day that is unseasonably
cool. When the temperature reaches an extreme, we call that a record high or a record low.
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Lesson 20 – City
When my parents retired last year, they traded the towering skyscrapers (very tall buildings) and noise
pollution (excessive noise) of Los Angeles for the peace and quiet of a small coastal city (a city near the
ocean) in southern France. They said they were tired of living in a high-rise building right next to an
industrial zone. Now they live in a cozy little house on the outskirts of the city (on the outer edge of the
city, not in the center).
Life in their new town is quite different from the hectic pace (the fast and chaotic rhythm) of L.A., where
the bustling streets (busy streets filled with people) are strewn with litter (filled with garbage) and you
can count on spending hours in traffic jams (stopped traffic).
Instead, the narrow cobblestone streets of the city center are lined with eighteenth-century buildings
that are now home to quaint shops (charming and old-fashioned shops) and gourmet restaurants
specializing in the local cuisine (the typical food of the region).
The best day to visit is Saturday, when there’s an open-air market (an outdoor market) in the main
square. You can buy souvenirs from the street vendors (people selling things on the street) and have
lunch at one of the trendy cafés (modern, stylish, and popular cafés) in the area. There’s virtually no
street crime here, in contrast to the inner-city areas (older, central, crowded part of a city, usually filled
with poor people and possibly violence) of L.A.
Is there anything that my parents miss about Los Angeles? Well, they do miss the cultural diversity. But
they’re past the age where being in a place with a pulsating nightlife (having many exciting bars and
clubs) is important to them.
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Lesson 21 – Countryside
If you’re living in an urban area and looking for a little change of scenery, why not take a weekend trip
to the surrounding countryside? You can walk through the wildlife preserve (special area where
animals are protected), where a winding footpath (a road you can walk on, that has many turns and
changes of direction) will lead you through varied landscapes including dense forests, vast meadows,
and gentle, rolling hills.
More adventurous visitors will enjoy exploring the rocky landscape of Yosemite National Park with its
towering cliffs (very tall cliffs) and magnificent waterfalls. You can take a hiking trail that goes up the
steepest face of the tallest mountain in the park (the side of a mountain is called a “face” – and “steep”
means it is very vertical). The trail starts at the foot of the mountain (the base of the mountain) and the
ascent takes about four hours; you can stop to have lunch on the banks of a clear, bubbling mountain
stream.
From the summit, there’s a spectacular panoramic view (meaning you can see in all directions) of the
area. To the east, you can see the jagged, snow-covered peaks of a distant mountain range (a group or
chain of mountains); you can gaze at the lush green countryside (an area with lots of healthy
vegetation) to the south, and when looking west, you can see the slow-moving, shallow river (a river
that is not very deep or fast) that flows lazily towards the ocean.
The coastline is just a three-hour drive from the mountains, with miles of sun-drenched, sandy
beaches. You can stay overnight at a family-run hotel in the picturesque fishing village (beautiful, good
for taking pictures), where every room has an unobstructed view (there are no obstacles blocking the
view) of the sea. The beaches tend to get crowded in the summer, so one option is to take a boat trip
across the bay and explore the secluded beaches (beaches that are hidden) on the island – it’s well
worth the trip (meaning it’s a good use of your time to go there).
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Lesson 22 – Crime
When a person breaks the law (does something illegal), we say they have committed a crime.
Especially horrible crimes – like a savage rape or a brutal murder – can be described as barbaric,
horrible, or vicious crimes.
If someone tries to commit a crime but does not succeed, we use the word attempted – for example, an
attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, or attempted break-in. If someone accuses another person
of a crime, but it is not yet proven, then we use the word alleged – for example, an alleged assault,
alleged harassment, or alleged rape.
After the victim reports the crime to the police, the police will begin to investigate the crime. They’ll
visit the crime scene and gather forensic evidence (collect details like bullets, fingerprints, or blood
samples that can show what happened). If witnesses come forward, the police will interview them to
hear a first-hand account (a story told by a person who saw the event) of what happened. They also
consider possible motives for the crime.
Police can arrest suspects who they believe have committed a crime – but the suspect can prove their
innocence by providing a solid alibi – that means giving a confirmed explanation of where they were at
the time of the crime. If it is never discovered who committed the crime, then the case remains an
unsolved crime. The statistics about number of crimes in a particular area is called the crime rate. And
when there is a big increase in the crime rate, we can call this a crime wave.
There are also a number of collocations we can use to describe criminals. A first-time offender is
someone who has broken the law for the first time, whereas someone who has broken the law in the
past has a criminal record. A criminal who is famous – like a serial killer (a person who has killed
multiple people over time) or a person who is heavily involved in organized crime – can be called a
notorious criminal.
Collocations for specific crimes / criminals:
a cold-blooded killer/murderer – a person who doesn’t have feeling or emotion
a crazed/psychopathic killer – a killer who is insane or mentally unbalanced
domestic violence – when there is violence inside a home, for example, a husband beating his
wife
drug trafficking – the purchase, sale, and transport of illegal drugs
identity theft – when a criminal steals an innocent person’s identifying information and uses it in
an illegal way
sexual harassment – when one person makes undesired sexual advances towards another
person
petty crime – a minor crime
armed robbery – when criminals steal something, while using weapons
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Lesson 23 – Law/Justice
The government is responsible for passing laws (approving new laws to be put into practice), and the
courts and legal system are in charge of upholding and enforcing the law (applying the law to the
population).
When a person is charged with a crime (formally accused of the crime), he or she must appear in court
to stand trial (be judged guilty or innocent). Both the prosecution and the defense will present their
cases before the judge and jury. After consideration, the judge or jury will reach a verdict (arrive at a
decision).
1. After being evacuated / left / released from prison, Jim found it hard to get a job.
If there is irrefutable,
overwhelming, or concrete evidence, this means that it is very obvious that the
2. Although everyone believes she's guilty, the evidence was too appealed / inconclusive /
person committed the crime, and it’s possible that the jury will be unanimous (meaning they all agree)
refutableif for
conviction. is circumstantial or inconclusive (the evidence does not 100%
in their decision. However,
thea evidence
prove the conclusion),
decision
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be more
– it’s possible
have/adeath
hungtojury,
which
3. Duethen
to histhe
links
to terrorist
Mr. difficult
Smith represents
a threatto
/ battle
society.
cannot agree on the verdict.
4. He was declared innocent by a unanimous / universal / uniform jury.
Less serious crimes
will receive a light sentence (a small punishment) – for example, the offender may
have to pay a fine5. orI do
community
service.
more serious
crimes,
the
will probably
couldn't
believe what
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conviction
/ sentence
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sheperson
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jail!to
prison – and especially
heinous
crimes
can
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harsh
sentence
such
as
life
in
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(or
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6. I don't support the death pain / penalty / punishment - I think everyone deserves a chance to
imprisonment) or, in some places, the death penalty.
After the decision is change.
made, the lawyers can choose to appeal the verdict (try to change the decision),
and the case may7. turn
into
prolonged
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uphold
orthe
overturn
Patty
anda her
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are battle
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a prolonged
lawful /whether
legal / trial
over
the original verdict – “uphold” meaning to continue with the original decision, and “overturn” meaning
ownership of their house.
to change the decision.
As a convicted criminal
time/ (spending
time
in prison),
or hitting
she should
remember the
8. Ron is
willserving
stand court
jury / trial for
an assault
chargehe
after
his girlfriend.
possibility of being
released from prison early for good behavior, as long as they are not deemed a
9. The banking executive was charged / stood / upheld with fraud.
threat to society (possibly dangerous to other people).
The U.S.early
government
/ passed
/ served
a newthat
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about
A criminal who is10.
released
is saidjust
to hung
be “on
parole,”
meaning
or immigration.
she must comply with
certain conditions11.
after
getting
out
of
jail
–
such
as
getting
a
job
and
refraining
drug/alcohol
There was concrete / enforced / harsh evidence that the doctor had from
falsified
the records. use.
Lesson 23 – Quiz
12. They haven't yet reached a court / parole / verdict in the kidnapping case.
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Lesson 24 – War & Peace
When a war begins, we can say that war has broken out or violence has erupted in the region. When
one country officially enters into a state of war, then they have declared war on the enemy country.
Sometimes, one country performs a pre-emptive strike (an early attack) against another – for example,
if it suspects that the other country is stockpiling weapons (creating a collection of weapons) that will
be used for a future attack. The other country may view this as an unprovoked attack (an unfair attack
without a reason), and tensions may rise until the area is on the brink of war – meaning that war is very
probable.
Sending in the military is often called deploying troops. The soldiers may be stationed/posted in a
certain area to protect it, or they may launch an offensive in which they storm/invade enemy territory.
When the soldiers begin firing their guns, we say that they opened fire.
Unfortunately, the horrors of war affect everyone, as innocent people are always caught in the crossfire
(in the middle of the violence without participating in it). Both sides are sure to suffer civilian casualties
(when innocent people are injured or killed) and there will be collateral damage to the countries’
infrastructure. War also results in many refugees displaced by the violence; they may resettle in
another area or flee to another country.
If a particular battle was an important turning point in the war, then it is called a decisive battle.
Sometimes another country intervenes and helps the two sides negotiate a truce/ceasefire (agree to
stop fighting). If successful, this can restore peace – but it may be a fragile/uneasy peace. More work
will still be needed to bring stability to the area and establish a lasting peace. Often, peacekeeping
forces remain in the region to try to avert war (avoid war).
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Lesson 25 – Global Problems
In today’s lesson, we’ll focus on several major global problems.
One critical issue is preserving and protecting the environment. The burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal, and
natural gas) produces greenhouse gases (gases that heat up the atmosphere) that deplete the ozone
layer and result in global warming and climate change (changes in the earth’s temperature and weather
patterns).
Some scientists believe that we have already done irreparable damage to the planet, and now we are
suffering the consequences of rising sea levels and increasingly frequent natural disasters such as
earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados. A number of animal species have gone extinct, and many more
are endangered. To reverse this trend, we must invest in clean energy (energy sources that do not
pollute the environment) with renewable resources (elements like water and air, which can be re-used)
and utilize manufacturing methods that are not harmful to the environment.
There are still many regions of the world where children die of hunger/starvation (die from not having
enough food). Unfortunately, extreme poverty is common in the rural areas of developing countries,
where the population often suffers from food shortages (not enough food) and lack of access to clean
water.
In the cities, homeless people sleep on the streets if there is not enough room in local homeless
shelters. There are also many families on the margins of society (outside the dominant society and
culture) who are living below the poverty line and struggle to make ends meet every month. Although
many governments create welfare programs (programs that give money to poor people) to alleviate
poverty, the widening gap between rich and poor suggests that poverty may never be completely
eradicated.
Poverty and underdevelopment contribute to a host of additional problems as well. For example, many
people die of preventable diseases because they have no access the safe and effective vaccines that
exist. A number of large corporations use child labor in the manufacturing of their products, as poor
families may feel they have no other option for survival. In addition, young women from disadvantaged
backgrounds (poor families and situations) are prime targets for human trafficking and sexual
exploitation.
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Lesson 26 – Time
Are you always in a rush, or do you take your time? Do you spend your time efficiently, or do you waste
time and procrastinate important tasks – then stay up working until ungodly hours (very late at
night/early in the morning)?
It has taken me ages (taken a very long time), but I’ve finally adopted some time-management habits:
Plan things well in advance and don’t underestimate the amount of time things will take –
otherwise you’ll end up being a slave to your grueling schedule (very intense schedule).
Take care of time-consuming tasks (things that take a lot of time) on a day when you have no
pressing commitments (urgent appointments or things to do).
Establish a timeline for major projects, so that you don’t leave things to the last minute and
risk running out of time. Then, stick to the schedule and try to get ahead if possible. There’s
nothing worse than falling behind on a project with a strict deadline (a definite date before
which it needs to be finished).
Leave home and work a little earlier than normal to avoid rush hour (the time when there is a lot
of traffic because everyone is going to work or coming home from work).
Sleep for eight solid hours (eight hours without interruption) every night; you’ll wake up with
more energy.
If you’re working from dawn till dusk (from the early morning to the late evening) and you have little or
no spare/free time, it could mean that you’re overworked, and you should cut back on your hours
(reduce your working hours) to free up some time (make more time available).
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Lesson 27 – Sound
Let’s begin by looking at the difference between “sound” and “noise.” Sometimes these words are
interchangeable, but not always. A “sound” can be pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant – but “noise” is
always either neutral or unpleasant.
I woke up to the lovely sound of my wife playing the piano.
(pleasant)
I could hear the soft sound of their voices in the other room.
(neutral)
The fighting cats made horrible screeching sounds.
(unpleasant)
I can’t hear you; there’s a lot of background noise. Could you call me back?
(neutral)
My car is making an annoying buzzing noise whenever I turn on the A/C.
(unpleasant)
If a noise or sound is very strong, we can describe it as a loud sound/noise – and if it is REALLY intense,
then we can describe it as a deafening sound/noise. On the other hand, if we can barely hear it, then it
is a faint or soft sound/noise. There’s also a muffled sound – when it seems that something is blocking
the sound.
Noise that doesn’t stop is called constant/incessant noise. You’ll hear this type of noise if your house is
close to the highway, for example – you’ll hear the roar of traffic day and night. If you work in a factory,
then you might hear the hum of machinery all day long. And if you live next door to college students,
you’ll probably hear music blaring as they party every night.
Nature is full of noises, too – such as birds chirping and dogs barking. If you sit near the ocean, you can
listen to the waves crashing. When you’re in a remote, deserted area, you might hear the wind
whistling through the trees. And if there’s a storm, you’ll hear the rumble of thunder – or be scared by a
sudden thunderclap.
Now let’s talk about the absence of sound. There’s a difference between the words “quiet” and “silent.”
“Quiet” means that there is very little noise, whereas “silent” means there is no noise at all.
You can emphasize the totality of the silence by saying that it was absolutely, completely, or perfectly
silent. When it begins to be silent, you can say that silence descended or fell, and then when a noise
interrupts the silence, it breaks or shatters the silence.
It’s also common to use collocations to give an emotional tone to the quiet/silence:
The kids were oddly/strangely/uncharacteristically quiet (the fact that it is quiet is unusual, not
normal)
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Lesson 28 – Size
This lesson will help clarify when to use the confusing words big, small, large, little, tall, short, high, and
low. Often, the only difference between them is in their collocations.
“Big” is much more common than “large.” The word “large” is a little more formal, but in many
sentences, it makes no difference: She lives in a big house. = She lives in a large house.
So let’s focus on the collocations in which large is almost always used – knowing that you can use “big”
for other objects. We tend to use large with drink sizes – a large coffee, a large soda – as well as with
clothing sizes – small, medium, and large.
Large is usually used with words referring to statistics and measurements, such as quantity, number,
amount, increase, and proportion. We say:
A large number of students enrolled in the course.
A big number of students enrolled in the course.
We also use the expressions “large scale” and “small scale” to refer to the size of an operation; for
example, “The factory began large-scale production of automotive parts.”
There are a number of collocations in which we must use “big” and we cannot use “large.” These include
situations and events, for example: a big accomplishment, a big decision, a big disappointment, a big
failure, a big improvement, a big mistake, and a big surprise. You can also use the informal expressions
big brother and big sister to refer to a sibling who is older than you.
The words “tall” and “short” are used for physical objects, and refer to the total height from the bottom
to the top. So we talk about a tall building, tall trees, and a tall man/woman. The words “high” and
“low” refer to distance above the ground – so we say that an airplane is flying 10,000 feet high, or that
an apple is on a low branch of a tree.
High and low are also used with non-physical things, especially those which have different “levels”:
high/low prices
high/low levels
high/low quality
high/low rate
high/low degree
Finally, let’s tackle “small” and “little.” The word “little” can imply that you feel some affection or
sympathy for the object, whereas the word “small” is neutral. Thus, “little” often appears together with
adjectives like nice, cute, pretty, poor, and tiny.
She lives in a small house.
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Lesson 29 – Light
We use the expression “the sun is shining” to talk about the sun emitting light. If the light is so strong
that it’s difficult to see, we can describe it as blinding sunlight – and if the light is not very strong, then it
is weak sunlight.
When the sun sets (disappears below the horizon), everything grows dark. If there’s a full moon, then
there will still be some light. But if there’s a crescent moon or a new moon, then it will be pitch
dark/black (completely black) and you’ll be able to see the stars twinkling in the night sky.
To describe the strength of a light, you can use the words “bright” and “dim.” A fluorescent light bulb
emits bright light, and the faint glow of a flickering candle is dim light. When light shines on an object,
it makes the object cast a shadow. An area that protected from the sunlight is often called “the shade.”
If you don’t want to get sunburned, it’s a good idea to sit in the shade.
We use the word “lighting” to refer to a system of artificial lights, especially inside a house or building. A
place can have bright/strong lighting or the opposite – soft/subdued lighting (a low level of illumination
for artistic/romantic purposes). And along the highways and roads, we have street lights.
If it’s nighttime and the power goes out (or there is a power outage – a lack of electrical power), then
the city will be plunged into darkness. You can describe the darkness as complete/total darkness to
emphasize that it is 100% dark. People will have to use flashlights or light candles to be able to see –
until the next morning when the sun rises/comes up.
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Lesson 30 – Color
Today you’re going to expand your vocabulary by learning various collocations about colors.
You can describe a color as light or dark – for example, someone can have light brown or dark brown
hair. If a color is very intense, you can describe it as bright – for example, a bright red apple. If the color
is not very intense, you can describe it as pale – for example, a pale green dress.
When describing colors in general, you can talk about bold/vivid colors – which are very intense – or
pastel colors, which are light or pale.
We can use other words to describe specific shades of a color (variations of a specific color). These
words are usually a typical object with that particular color. For example, “sky blue” is a light shade of
blue, like the color of the sky. Here are some of the most common collocations:
ruby red
cherry red
fiery orange
burnt orange
lemon yellow
golden yellow
emerald green
olive green
sky blue
royal blue
navy blue / midnight blue
When you have something that is primarily one color, but with a little bit of another color included, we
can use the word “tinge.” There are two ways to structure the sentence:
The flowers are yellow with a tinge of pink in the middle.
My cat’s fur is light gray with a slight brownish tinge.
You can also use this form – a color word plus –ISH – to describe mixes of colors. For example, “reddish
brown” is a shade of brown with a strong portion of red, whereas “yellowish brown” is a shade of
brown with a strong portion of yellow.
Some colors look good together – in this case, we can say that the colors match. Other colors look
terrible together – in this case, we can say that the colors clash. When the color of a person’s clothes
looks good with that person’s skin tone (color of their skin), you can say “that color suits you” or “that
color looks good on you.”
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Lesson 31 – Texture
The word “texture” refers to the way something feels, and there are many different collocations used to
describe it. Let’s look at them in pairs of opposites.
Dry hair / Oily or greasy hair – You need to wash oily hair more often than you need to wash dry hair.
Dry skin / Oily skin – Oily skin is prone to acne, whereas dry skin often needs moisturizer.
A Smooth / Rough surface – Surfaces such as the ground, a road, and your skin can be smooth (with a
consistent surface) or rough (with a varied surface).
Calm / Choppy or rough water – The water of the ocean is calm when the weather is mild, and it is
choppy/rough when there are high winds.
Hard / Soft object – A mattress or pillow, for example, can be hard or soft.
Tender / Tough meat – Meat that is “tender” is easy to cut and chew, and meat that is “tough” is
difficult to cut and chew.
A Sharp / Dull blade or point – A knife or a pencil can be “sharp” – meaning it can cut – or “dull,”
meaning it has lost its ability to cut.
The verbs “soften” and “harden” describe the process of becoming soft and becoming hard. For
example, potatoes soften when you cook them in boiling water. And snow hardens if the temperature
decreases and the snow begins turning into ice.
We can also use “soften” and “harden” in a more metaphorical way – we can say a person’s voice
softens when they begin speaking in a more friendly tone, and their voice hardens when they begin
speaking in a less friendly tone. A person’s attitude or views can also “soften” (become more
friendly/tolerant) or “harden” (become less friendly/less tolerant).
Texture words are often used when describing food:
creamy - describes a smooth and rich texture, like cream. Sauces, soups, puddings, and
chocolate can be creamy.
crunchy/crispy – describe something that makes a noise when you chew it. Crackers, chips,
bacon, granola, and other “hard” foods can be crunchy or crispy.
chewy – describes food that requires some effort to chew. Caramels and other types of candy
can be chewy. This word can have a negative connotation if the food is not supposed to be
chewy – for example, when you overcook meat, it becomes tough and chewy.
greasy – describes food with a lot of oil. Hamburgers, French fries, and chicken wings can be
greasy.
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Lesson 32 – Smell
Today we’ll continue learning collocations related to the five senses, with expressions for describing
different smells. Let’s begin by looking at some commonly confused words.
Aroma, scent, and fragrance all describe a good smell. You can talk about the wonderful aroma of a
cake that has just been taken out of the oven, the fresh scent of flowers, and the sweet fragrance of a
woman’s perfume.
The word smell is neutral; you can have the lovely smell of fresh-baked bread, or the horrible smell of
rotting food. The word “smell” can be a noun or a verb – so you can also say “It smells delicious” or “It
smells nasty.”
The words stench, stink, and odor all describe bad smells – there’s the foul odor of a dead animal, and
the revolting stench of sewage. The unpleasant smell of a person who doesn’t take showers or use
deodorant is called body odor.
To describe the strength of smells, you can say they are light/faint smells or strong smells. When a
smell is extremely strong, you can say it is an overpowering smell. A smell that you recognize can be
called a familiar smell, and a smell that is unique and easy to identify can be called a distinctive smell or
an unmistakable smell.
Smells can “waft” – that means float through the air. For example, the mouth-watering scent of
chocolate chip cookies wafted across the room. Another verb used with smell is “fill” – the acrid smell of
smoke filled the hallway. Finally, if a smell stays in a place for a long time, we can use the verb “linger” –
the spicy aroma of her cooking lingered in the kitchen for hours.
Here are some additional collocations for describing smells:
earthy/fishy/fruity/metallic smell – smells like soil/dirt, fish, fruit, or metal
rancid/putrid smell – a disgusting smell of things that are rotten
damp/dank smell – a smell of wet things and mold
a pervasive smell – a smell that tends to fill the space and remain there
a pungent smell – a smell that is “sharp” and strong; it almost hurts your nose when you smell it
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Lesson 33 – Taste
Let’s begin this lesson by looking at the commonly confused words taste and flavor.
The word taste is often used as a verb, so you can say that a food tastes good or tastes bad. If you want
to be a little more extreme in your description, you can say that a food tastes divine/heavenly (for an
extremely good taste) or tastes gross/disgusting (for an extremely bad taste).
Another expression is “it tastes funny” – that means it tastes unusual, with a negative connotation. For
example, “This milk tastes funny – it might be past its expiration date.” It’s very common to say that
something tastes like something else: “I had frog’s legs once – they tasted like chicken.”
The word flavor is typically used as a noun. We can say something has a nutty, fruity, cheesy, minty, or
salty flavor to compare the flavor to another food (nuts, fruit, cheese, etc.) You can also use the word
taste as a noun – for example: “This wine has a fruity taste / fruity flavor.”
Flavors or tastes can also be described by category, or by the sensation they cause in your mouth – a
bitter flavor, a sour taste, a sweet taste. When you enjoy the taste of something, and want to keep it in
your mouth for a long time, we say you savor the taste.
If a food has a LOT of flavor, then it can be described as strong or rich – the strong flavor of garlic, the
rich flavor of chocolate. When the level of flavor is low, it is a mild flavor or a subtle flavor. Both of
these words have a positive connotation – “This cheese has a nice, mild flavor” or, “The subtle flavor of
ginger adds a nice touch to this marinade.”
The expression bland taste or bland flavor is a way to describe food with little flavor, with a negative
connotation. For example – “These crackers have such a bland flavor that it feel like I’m snacking on
cardboard.”
There are some foods that people usually don’t enjoy the first time they try them… but with time,
people learn to like the flavor. A food like this can be described as an acquired taste.
There’s no quiz today – but to expand your vocabulary even more, check out this link for 101+ words for
describing food (with example sentences): http://www.squidoo.com/food-vocabulary
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Lesson 34 – Statistics
First, let’s clarify the difference between “number” and “amount” – we use “number” with countable
nouns, and “amount” with uncountable nouns.
A large number of people
A massive amount of damage
A significant number of countries
A considerable amount of money
A tiny number of computers
A miniscule amount of alcohol
Numbers and statistics can increase or decrease (more formal), rise or fall (also formal) or go up and go
down (more informally). When a number goes up or down very fast, we can describe this as sharp or
dramatic – for example, the sudden improvement in the economy has resulted in a dramatic drop in
unemployment and a sharp rise in consumer spending. When a number goes up or down slowly, then
we can talk about a gradual increase in population or a slow decline in the number of violent crimes.
And if a number doesn’t change, then it remains steady or remains constant.
We use the word “widespread” to describe something that is happening frequently in many places. For
example, there being widespread dissatisfaction with the government, or a new book winning
widespread acclaim in the literary world. A hurricane can cause widespread damage, and a presidential
candidate can have widespread support among voters of a certain demographic.
In conversational English, we often use the structure keep + -ING to describe something that happens
frequently. For example,
“I’m trying to work, but my colleagues keep interrupting me.”
“Why do you keep asking me about the problem? I’ve told you a thousand times I don’t know
how to solve it.”
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Lesson 35 – Movement & Speed
English has a number of words that mean “fast” – but each one has different collocations.
Use fast to describe a vehicle, person, or action: a fast car, a fast train, a fast runner, work fast, drive
fast, learn fast
Use quick to describe an event or action: a quick lunch, a quick glance, a quick shower, a quick decision
Use rapid to describe a change: a rapid increase/decline, a rapid change, rapid growth, rapid progress
The word speedy is often used with recovery and resolution: a speedy recovery from surgery, a speedy
resolution to the problem.
The word swift is often used with action, response, and reaction: The swift action of the police enabled
the criminal to be caught immediately; we received a swift response to our request for information.
The word prompt means “fast and punctual” – it is often used with information and payment or
customer service. For example, you can give a prompt reply to an e-mail, and receive prompt delivery
of a product you ordered.
The word hasty means “fast and in a rush” – He made a hasty exit from the party when he saw his exgirlfriend walk in. This word often has connotation of doing something without sufficient consideration.
You might come to a hasty conclusion before considering all the evidence, and make a hasty decision
that you’ll regret later.
When you’re driving, you need to pay attention to the speed limit – the maximum velocity permitted. If
you’re driving at breakneck speed (extremely fast), then you might need to slow down. If you get caught
in a speed trap (where the police measure the velocity of passing cars), you might have to pay a
speeding ticket (penalty for driving too fast).
Of course, you might need to put on a burst of speed (sudden increase in speed) to pass a car that’s
moving at a snail’s pace (very slowly). If major construction is being done on the road, then traffic might
slow to a crawl (slow down to a very slow speed) and eventually come to a standstill (stop completely).
To talk about changes in speed, we can say something is gaining speed or speeding up (to describe
moving faster) or losing speed or slowing down (to describe moving slower).
Finally, to talk about eating or walking in a slow and relaxed way, you can use the word “leisurely” –
After a leisurely breakfast, we took a leisurely stroll through the park.
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Lesson 36 – Changes
To talk about making small changes, you can say make adjustments, make alterations, or make
modifications. More informally, you can say make tweaks – “We made a few tweaks to the website.”
To talk about bigger changes, you can use the verbs “transform” and “revolutionize”:
The internet has revolutionized the way people communicate.
The city transformed the vacant lot into a playground.
(you usually “transform” one thing “into” something else)
When you put on different clothes, you change your clothes. When you remove a baby’s dirty diaper
and put on a clean one, you change the baby’s diaper. When you reverse a decision or opinion, then
you change your mind. And when you introduce a different topic of conversation, then you change the
subject. When you change your religion, then we often use the verb convert – I converted to
Christianity; my brother wants to convert to Islam.
Other verbs used for changes are “turn,” “become,” and “get.” Let’s look at their different collocations.
Use turn with colors:
Bananas turn black if you put them in the refrigerator.
You can also use turn into as a less formal expression for “transform into”:
Our living room couch turns into a bed.
Use become with emotions and states of being, including comparative adjectives:
My sister became angry when she found out I’d broken her computer.
It’s becoming apparent/clear that the treatment isn’t working.
The band’s music became popular among teenagers.
It’s becoming more difficult to separate one’s personal and professional life.
You can also use become with professions: My brother became an actor.
The word get can be used as a less formal alternative to “become” with emotions and comparative
adjectives (but NOT with professions or states of being).
I’m getting excited about my upcoming trip to Spain.
It’s getting more expensive to rent a place in this neighborhood.
Will it ever get easier for me to understand movies in English?
We also use the word go in a few specific collocations involving changes:
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Lesson 37 – Speaking
Want to become a better conversationalist? Here are a few tips for making small talk (talking casually
about simple topics):
To strike up a conversation (start a conversation), you can make comments about the weather
or the local surroundings.
Stay away from delicate subjects (sensitive topics) like religion and politics – you don’t want to
get into a lengthy discussion (a long discussion) or have an argument (have a verbal fight).
If there’s a lull in the conversation (a pause in the conversation) ask the other person a question
about themselves.
If you tell a story, don’t go on and on (talk too much) - remember that you’re having a brief chat
(a quick conversation); you’re not making a speech.
Be careful about cracking jokes – you might end up having to apologize profusely (apologize
many times) if the person is offended.
Having good communication skills can really improve your relationships. People appreciate it when you
get straight to the point (talk directly about the essential message) rather than dropping hints (trying to
communicate very indirectly).
Of course, nobody trusts a person who tells lies (says things that aren’t true) or stretches the truth
(exaggerates and distorts the facts). If you always tell the truth, then people know they can count on
you when you give your word (make a promise or statement of the truth).
It’s also important to watch your tone of voice (the emotion with which you speak) and avoid making
sarcastic remarks or disparaging comments (very negative and destructive comments). If you must
make a complaint, try to give constructive criticism (criticism that helps the situation improve). And if
you need to ask a favor of someone, always do it politely – don’t forget to say “Please”!
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Lesson 38 – Starting / Finishing
Let’s get started with a common question: is there a difference between the verbs “start” and “begin”?
There’s no difference in meaning – “I started studying English 3 years ago” is the same as “I began
studying English 3 years ago” – but “begin” is a little more formal than “start.”
The phrase “let’s get started” is an informal way to announce the beginning of an activity. You can also
say that something “got off to a good start” if it began well. Other collocations for a good start include
an encouraging start or promising start – these expressions show that there is hope for good results in
the future. For example, “The soccer team got off to a promising start, winning the first four games of
the season.”
If it is not so certain that there will be good results in the future, then you can say a shaky start or
unsteady start – “The business had a shaky start in the second quarter of 2013, with sales numbers
fluctuating daily.”
If the beginning of something did not meet expectations, you can call it a disappointing start – and if it
was REALLY terrible, you can describe it as a disastrous start. “Kevin failed every single one of his first
exams – his semester was off to a disastrous start.”
Sometimes things go so badly that you need to get out of the situation and have a completely fresh start
or new beginning. When a successful person or company started without being famous or rich, then we
say they had a humble/modest beginning.
Now let’s talk about “finish” and “end” – there is a difference between these two verbs. “Finish” usually
implies completing something, whereas “end” is used for a more passive situation/state:
I finished my homework.
The semester ends in December.
We need to finish the project.
We ended our partnership with that company.
When you make the final changes to something before it is completed, we say you put the finishing
touches on it.
Two expressions used to talk about ending something are come to an end or draw to a close. You can
also say “the beginning of the end” to describe something that will probably end soon – “The explosion
at the factory was the beginning of the end for our company.” In other words, the explosion began a
process of the company failing and eventually shutting down.
When something ends quickly, then it comes to an abrupt/sudden end. On the other hand, when an
activity appears that it will continue forever, then we say there’s no end in sight.
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Lesson 39 – Success & Failure
Successful Samantha has a long list of impressive accomplishments. It seems like everything she does
ends up being a phenomenal success. In her very first job, she created a highly effective way to
motivate the company’s employees, resulting in a dramatic improvement in workplace morale.
Now she’s developing a system for real-time translation among 100 different languages. If she can pull it
off, it’ll be an unprecedented success (success in something for the first time in history) and the
crowning achievement (best or most significant achievement) of her career.
So far, the program has enjoyed modest success (some limited success) but there is still room for
improvement (potential for improvement). However, Samantha says that the team is making good
progress, and that in the next month or two she hopes to make a breakthrough (make a sudden
advance in success, especially when you overcome an obstacle).
Although Samantha is very ambitious, she’s also a very likeable person. She brings out the best in other
people, and quickly wins the respect of colleagues.
Samantha’s brother, Disastrous Dan, is the opposite – everything he attempts seems to fail miserably.
He wanted to be a doctor, but his teachers told him he wasn’t smart enough, dashing his hopes (making
him abandon hope) of a career in medicine. He had the opportunity to do a prestigious internship in
another country, but he lost his nerve (lost his courage) and turned down the offer.
He then applied for various jobs, but completely failed to show up to the interviews on time. He was
eventually hired, but later lost his job during an economic downturn due to his mediocre performance
(average work, not very special) and total lack of remarkable achievements.
Dan then tried to start his own software company to compete with Samantha’s; that was a spectacular
failure. He invested his life savings in the business, despite all his friends telling him that it would be a
recipe for disaster (very likely to result in disaster). His sales predictions were way off the mark
(completely inaccurate), and the company went under (lost all its money and shut down) just eight
months after it was founded.
Poor Dan – it seems like he’s doomed to failure (destined to be unsuccessful). But if all else fails (if
everything is unsuccessful), he can always move into Samantha’s mansion as a last resort (a final
possibility)!
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Lesson 40 – Cause & Effect
The word “cause” is primarily used with negative results: a storm can cause damage, a mechanical
defect can cause a problem, unclear instructions can cause confusion, a political scandal can cause an
uproar (a strong negative reaction/manifestation from the public), a high-risk sport can cause injury,
and an infection in a hospital can cause death.
You can describe something as cause for concern or cause for alarm – meaning a reason for concern or
alarm. For example, “The growing number of teenagers dropping out of school is cause for concern.”
The word “alarm” is a little stronger and more urgent: “The rapid spread of the virus is cause for alarm.”
One of the only positive collocations with “cause” is cause for celebration: “The opening of the new
school was cause for celebration in the community.”
When analyzing a problem, you can identify the main/primary cause of the issue – but keep in mind
that there may be hidden/underlying causes as well. The deepest or most fundamental cause is
sometimes called the root cause.
Interestingly, we do not use the verb “cause” together with “effect.” Instead, we say that something has
an effect – for example, “Television has a strong effect on public opinion.” Another way to say “a strong
effect” is the expression a significant impact or a profound impact.
There are many different ways to describe effects:
short-term vs. long-term effects – the time of the effect
visible effects vs. subtle effects – whether or not the effects are obvious
powerful effect vs. minimal/negligible effect – how strong the effect was
beneficial effect vs. adverse effect – to describe positive and negative effects
main effect vs. side effect – to describe the primary effect or an additional effect
Something can also have/produce results – the preliminary results are the early ones, and after more
time passes, you’ll get the final results. Results that obviously exist and can be proved are called
concrete/tangible results, and a result that is impossible to avoid is an inevitable result. Results can also
be direct or indirect, and the result that you want is called the desired result.
One word that is similar to “result” is “outcome” – it describes a resulting situation. You can try to guess
the likely/probable outcome – the logical outcome is the result you would expect, and an unexpected
outcome is one you didn’t predict.
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Lesson 41 – Memories
I’m trying to think of my earliest memory. I vaguely remember (remember a little bit, not in much detail)
when my brother was born – I was three years old at the time – but I distinctly remember my first day
of kindergarten, when I was around five.
When I look at photos, even more memories come flooding back (memories come to mind) – I
remember my school, my classmates, and my teacher, who would constantly remind us to clean up the
classroom, because we were always making a mess. I’d completely forgotten the teacher’s name,
though, and my mother had to refresh my memory (remind me of a fact I’d forgotten).
I still have a lot of my toys from when I was a kid. They bring back fond memories (pleasant memories)
of long afternoons spent playing with my brother. I also remember a family vacation to Switzerland
when I was about eight – that was an unforgettable experience.
My most traumatic memory is of my uncle dying in a car crash when I was ten. He was only 32 years old
– younger than my dad – and the memory of the funeral still haunts me (the sad/profound memory
stays with me). I still wear a bracelet that was a Christmas present from him; it serves as a sobering
reminder (it provides a serious reminder) not to take a single day of life for granted.
Unfortunately, I have a terrible memory for peoples’ names, unless the name is unusual or particularly
memorable. Just the other day, I was talking to an acquaintance from church and my mind went blank
(I couldn’t think of anything) when I tried to think of her name. I racked my brain (tried hard to
remember something), but nothing came to mind. My husband gently reminds me that I really need to
pay more attention, because it makes a bad impression when I call people by the wrong name.
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Lesson 42 – Agreeing & Disagreeing
When you agree with someone completely, you can say “I totally agree” or “I strongly agree.” Another
way to describe 100% agreement is to say a person agrees wholeheartedly. On the other hand, you can
say “I agree up to a point” if you agree with part of the person’s opinion, but disagree with another
part. Another expression is “I agree in principle” if you agree with the idea, but not with the practical
application.
Avoid the common error of saying “I’m agree.” The correct phrase is “I agree” (more informally) or “I’m
in agreement” (more formally).
We can say that two people share an opinion or share a view if they have the same perspective. But if
there are differences, then we call this a difference of opinion. If the difference of opinion is very big,
then the two sides are said to be “worlds apart” on the issue. Hopefully, two people who think
differently will be able to reach a compromise (agree on a fair solution) without having a heated
argument (angry/intense argument) about the issue.
One polite way to express your disagreement is: “I’m afraid I disagree.” You can also say “I see your
point” to communicate the fact that you understand the other person’s idea or opinion. We call a small
disagreement a minor/slight disagreement, and a big disagreement is a major/serious disagreement.
It’s easy to reason with a person who disagrees respectfully, but it’s more difficult to settle a
disagreement (resolve a disagreement) if the other person disagrees vehemently (with intense emotion
and expression).
If a conflict continues for a long time, it can be called a long-running dispute – and if it involves lots of
angry and negative emotions, then it’s a bitter dispute. If the two sides cannot agree to disagree
(tolerate the other person’s opinion, despite disagreeing), then they may need the help of a third party
to resolve the conflict.
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Lesson 43 – Beliefs & Doubts
When you strongly/firmly believe something, we can call it a deeply-held belief or an unshakable belief
– the latter phrase implies that it would be difficult to convince you to change your mind. It’s possible to
have a subconscious belief – a belief that you are not actively aware of. Your emotions can also color
your judgment (influence your opinions/decisions).
A lot of people believe in superstitions – irrational beliefs that have no basis in fact, like the number 13
being unlucky. Others have a blind faith (believe in something without thinking) in fate or destiny. When
new evidence appears, it can either strengthen/reinforce your belief (make it stronger) or
undermine/weaken your belief (make it weaker).
When forming your beliefs, be careful about making assumptions, which can lead to erroneous
conclusions. False beliefs held by many people are called common misconceptions. Scientists and other
researchers often publish material to help dispel misconceptions (eliminate them) – for example,
“Contrary to popular belief, it’s not harmful to go swimming immediately after eating.”
If you are completely sure about something, then you can describe it as “beyond/without a shadow of a
doubt.” But sometimes doubts arise – or another person voices their doubts – thus making you
reconsider. Maybe the doubts don’t even come from a fact, but you just have a sneaking suspicion – a
persistent feeling – that casts doubts on things you previously assumed to be true.
When you have a small doubt that persists and continues to bother you – this is called a
gnawing/lingering/nagging/niggling doubt. This might be an indication that it’s time to rethink/
reexamine your beliefs – after further consideration, you just might arrive at a different conclusion.
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Lesson 44 – Deciding & Choosing
How do you make a decision? Do you make lists of pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages) and
carefully consider all the options… or do you trust your intuition (listen to your deep, instinctive
feelings) and then make a choice based on your feelings?
If it’s an especially tough decision, you might want to ask for advice from a good friend. After discussing
the issue in-depth (talking about it in a lot of detail) and listening to your friend’s suggestions, you can
choose to either take their advice (implement their advice) or ignore their advice.
When you make a decision very quickly, we call it a snap decision. That’s somewhat similar to a spur-ofthe-moment decision - a decision made spontaneously, without very much thinking or planning. If you
do this, then you might need to defend your decision against people who believe it was an arbitrary
decision (one determined by chance or impulse, not by logic or principle).
Some people remain undecided because they’re afraid to make a costly mistake (a mistake with serious
negative consequences). In this case, weighing the possible outcomes (analyzing the possible future
results) can be helpful. Other people are always questioning themselves and having second thoughts
(reconsidering, doubting your previous decision) about the choices they’ve already made.
Although it might seem attractive to keep your options open as long as possible, you run the risk of
waiting so long that you end up having no choice (being limited to only one course of action). It’s far
better to develop sound judgment (the intelligent ability to decide things) so that you can make wise
decisions (good and smart decisions) and be confident about them.
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Lesson 45 – Claiming & Denying
Read and listen to this news report about a corruption scandal in a large company:
Randy Fisher, president of the software company NewTech, is facing accusations of fraud by its chief
financial officer, Brian King, who has openly accused Fisher of hiding millions of dollars of profit in offshore bank accounts in order to avoid paying taxes.
Fisher denies the allegations (says the accusations are not true) and clearly states that King has no
evidence to substantiate his claims (prove his claims are true or reasonable). However, in a leaked
document (a secret document that was accidentally released to the public) from the company’s internal
archives, Fisher heavily implies (says indirectly but strongly) that the company is in fact much more
profitable than it appears on paper. Some journalists are now spreading the rumor (transmitting the
comment) that these “invisible” funds were used to finance Fisher’s recent real estate investments in
Central America.
According to King, Fisher wanted him to participate in the illegal financial scheme, and became angry
when King refused his offer. It is widely acknowledged (known by many people) that if Fisher were to
resign, King would be the logical successor to the position of CEO. This has fueled speculation (created
beliefs) that there may be an ulterior motive (a hidden reason) for his accusations.
NewTech’s public relations department has issued a statement affirming its total compliance with tax
regulations. If indeed King’s claims are unfounded (his claims have no basis in fact), then he will
probably face legal action for unjustly and maliciously accusing Fisher, thus resulting in damage to his
reputation.
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Lesson 46 – Liking & Disliking
Read and listen to these three people talking about likes and dislikes:
“I’m a lifelong fan of U2 – they’re my all-time favorite band. In addition to the sheer enjoyment (pure
pleasure) of listening to their music, I’m also a great admirer of Bono and his philanthropic work. He’s
concerned not only with the fleeting pleasure (momentary enjoyment) of fame and fortune, but also
with making a difference in the world. I hold him in the highest regard (have great respect for him) for
this reason.”
“When my daughter was a baby, I noticed that she developed a particular liking for classical music, and
when she was six I signed her up for violin classes. It was a real pleasure to see her obvious enjoyment
of the lessons. She grew quite attached (strongly like/love over time) to her teacher, who says that she
has the potential to turn her great love of music into a professional career. Now my daughter is 13 and
lately she’s expressed a clear preference for the most difficult pieces of music – she says she wants a
challenge.”
“I took an instant dislike to Sam from the moment we were introduced. Within five minutes, he was
talking about his deep dislike of foreigners – without knowing that my own parents were immigrants
from Argentina. He said he had nothing but contempt (only hate) for people who abandoned their own
countries to come to ours, and then began making horribly racist jokes and comments. I have no idea
where Sam’s blind/irrational hatred (hatred without a logical reason) of foreigners comes from, but he
seems to have developed a strong aversion (developed an intense dislike) to interacting with anyone
who’s the slightest bit different from him. I try to be polite, but deep down I hate him with a passion
(hate him a LOT).”
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Lesson 47 – Praising & Criticizing
When I told my family I wanted to be a professional musician, I faced a barrage of criticism (intense
attack of negative comments) from my parents, who strongly disapproved of the idea. I'd had a feeling
that they would only give their blessing (give their approval/support) to a more "traditional" career
track.
I countered their criticism (argued against their criticism) by pointing out that I'd rather follow my
passion and enjoy my job than get rich working a job I hated. Although they gave their grudging
approval (angry and reluctant approval) to my enrollment in music school, I could tell by my father's
frown of disapproval (disapproving facial expression) that he wished I'd study law or medicine instead.
The only person who encouraged me was my aunt, who thinks the world of me (has great respect and
admiration for me) and has always offered enthusiastic support for my hopes and dreams. She heartily
approved (completely and sincerely approved) of my plans and dismissed my parents' criticisms as
ridiculous.
My parents finally came around when I gave my first concert in Carnegie Hall, to a standing ovation
(when the audience stands up and claps for an extended period of time). The critics had given my show
rave reviews (extremely positive evaluations), describing it as an outstanding performance (an
excellent, superior performance).
After seeing me on stage, my parents congratulated me warmly (congratulated me with love) and
apologized for the scathing criticisms (very strong and hurtful criticisms) they had made in the past.
Later, I heard them speaking highly of (saying good things about) my music to some of their friends. I
had finally won their approval.
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Lesson 48 – Metaphor
A number of words in English are used metaphorically – with a meaning that is not exactly the same as
their literal meaning. Usually they apply a quality of one word to another word. For example, when we
say that something is lightning fast, we are using the quality of lightning (which is almost instantaneous)
to describe something that is extremely fast.
Another example is the root of the problem – the literal meaning of the word “root” is the part of a
plant or tree that is under the soil. The roots are what support and sustain the entire tree. Therefore,
“the root of the problem” is the deepest, most basic or fundamental reason for the problem.
Many metaphors are related to elements in the natural world, such as light and dark, water, fire, and
plants – in this lesson, you’ll learn 5 collocations in each category.
LIGHT AND DARK
If someone’s face or eyes light up, it means that they suddenly get very happy or excited. You
can also say someone’s eyes are shining with delight.
The expression lighten the mood means to make a depressing atmosphere/situation more
relaxed and happy.
On the other hand, if someone’s face/eyes/expression darkens, it means that they suddenly
appear sad or angry.
Dark days or dark times refer to periods of time that are bad or unpleasant, full of problems
WATER
You can say that ideas are flowing or conversation is flowing to describe when it is proceeding
easily and naturally.
Water metaphors are often used to describe the movement of groups of people – you can say
that people poured/streamed into the stadium (to describe continuous movement of large
groups of people) or that people trickled into the church (when only a few people come,
occasionally).
The expressions waves of disappointment or waves of sadness refer to strong feelings.
FIRE
A heated discussion or heated debate is one that is very intense, often with negative emotions
like anger.
If someone has a fiery temper, it means that when they get angry, they get VERY angry, and
could possibly explode. There’s also the expression tempers flared to describe a situation when
people began to get angry.
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Lesson 49 – Confusing Words
We’ve already looked at a few pairs of confusing words, like end and finish, big and large, or fast and
quick. Here are some additional verbs that are frequently confused by English learners, with their
different collocations explained.
close / shut
Close and shut are the same for doors, windows, mouths, and eyes.
Close the door / Shut the door so that the mosquitoes don’t get in.
It’s cold in here; could you please close the window / shut the window ?
She shut her eyes / closed her eyes as she began to meditate.
Dan’s mouth was closed / shut.
Note: The word "shut" can be used with a word that implies the action was noisy:
She slammed the door shut.
The wind made the gate bang shut.
Note: The phrase "Shut your mouth!" is a rude way to tell somebody to stop talking.
Close (not shut) is used for shops, banks, etc. as well as for airports and roads that are not open or
available at a particular time:
What time does the bank close?
The roads are closed due to construction.
The shop is closing in 30 minutes.
We use expressions with "close" to refer to the end of an event or process:
Let’s bring this meeting to a close.
It appears that the economic crisis is drawing to a close / coming to a close.
Messi scored a goal in the closing moments of the game.
gain / win / earn
The word win means to be #1 in a competition, or to receive an award.
My soccer team won the game 3-1.
I want to win the lottery!
John won a prize in the science competition.
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You can win a game, win a race, win a competition, or win the lottery. You can also win a medal (like in
the Olympics), a prize, or an award. In conflicts, you can win an argument, win a battle or win the war.
The word earn means to get something in exchange for your work or effort.
Sarah is a famous lawyer; she earns a lot of money.
I’m not rich, but I earn a decent salary.
My bank account earns 2% interest per month.
The salesman earns a 10% commission on every sale he makes.
The word gain means to receive/obtain or to increase (it may or may not be the result of work or effort).
I’ve gained weight ever since I stopped exercising.
Jack’s car gained speed as he drove down the mountain.
This training has helped me gain insight into modern educational methods.
In my last job, I gained a lot of experience.
He has gained a reputation for complete honesty in his business dealings.
save / keep
Save is used for conserving something – you can save energy, save time, or save space. It can also be
used for rescuing, as in the expression "save someone's life." The expression "save money" has two
meanings - to conserve money by paying less, for example: "Coupons help me save money at the
supermarket." It also means to keep money for a long time, for example: "I'm saving money for my
vacation in December." In this second case, we often say "saving up money."
The word keep means to maintain something in your possession – for example, if someone gives you a
jacket, and you try to return it, but the other person tells you to keep it. There are various other
expressions using keep in the sense of maintaining or continuing:
keep trying = continue trying
keep an eye on / keep track of = continue to observe/monitor a situation
keep in mind = continue being aware of something
keep in touch = maintain contact with a person
keep something clean/safe, keep someone happy/quiet = maintain the object or person in that
state
keep a promise = do the action that you promised to do
keep a secret = maintain a secret hidden, not tell it to anybody
spend / pay
You spend money and time:
I spent $100 on tickets to the baseball game.
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Lesson 50 – Everyday Verbs
To finish up our study of collocations, we’re going to focus on some expressions with everyday verbs. A
lot of learners make mistakes with these verbs because the collocations are often different in their
native languages. Listen and repeat:
HAVE
have a baby / have children
have a good time / have a blast / have fun
have breakfast/lunch/dinner/ a snack
have an opportunity
have an advantage
TAKE
take a shower/bath
take a class/test/exam
take a bus/train/taxi
take a break / take a rest
= pause from an activity in progress
take advantage of
take care of
take action
PAY
In the previous lesson, you learned collocations with pay involving money. Here are some collocations
with pay that have nothing to do with money:
pay attention = give attention, observe
pay tribute = give honor or recognition
pay someone a compliment = give someone a compliment
pay someone a visit = an informal way to say “visit someone”
pay (your) respects = express your admiration for someone (often used for someone who has
died)
BREAK
break a habit = stop doing a habit
break a promise = fail to do what you promised to do
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break the ice = (informal) initiate conversation and social interaction, especially in a group that is
a little quiet or reserved
break the rules/law = disobey
break the news to someone = tell someone important news (usually bad news)
CATCH
catch a cold / the flu = when you get sick due to a bacteria/virus transmitted from another
person
catch fire = when something begins to burn
catch sight of / catch a glimpse of = get the opportunity to look at something
catch someone’s eye = make eye contact with someone
catch the bus/train/subway = an informal way to say that you went on the bus, train, or subway
COME
come into force/effect = begin to have an effect
come to an end
come to terms with = learn to accept someone or something
come under attack/scrutiny
come close = to approximate someone or something in a specific quality
GET
As you learned in Lesson 36 about changes, get can be used in the sense of “become”:
get married/divorced
get drunk/pregnant
get angry/scared/excited/tired
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Lesson 1 Quiz Answers
1. A friend of mine gave birth to her son at home with the help of a nurse.
2. A number of the kids in my classroom come from broken homes.
3. After a bitter divorce from his wife of 20 years, the actor married a woman young enough to be
his daughter.
4. I see my extended family once a year, during our annual family vacation.
5. I was raised in a very loving family, in which everyone helped each other.
6. I was raised by my grandparents after my parents passed away.
7. I'm on good terms with all my former boyfriends.
8. John had a carefree childhood, growing up with happily married parents and three brothers.
9. Many women regret having an abortion years afterwards.
10. My aunt's going through a messy divorce; she's paying a fortune in legal fees.
11. My husband doesn't get along with a few of my family members.
12. Although my salary is low, I get child support from my ex-husband.
13. My sister got pregnant immediately after she got married.
14. My son is making a diagram of our family tree for a school project.
15. My wife is pregnant with twins. They're due in February.
16. Sally was granted sole custody of the children from her first marriage.
17. Teenagers who had a troubled childhood often have behavior problems in school.
18. The celebrity wrote a book about his dysfunctional family.
19. The divorce settlement awarded the wife $500,000.
20. There are four people in my immediate family.
21. They have three biological children and two adopted children.
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Lesson 2 Quiz Answers
1. The process of creating friendships is called... c) making friends
2. A "close friend" is someone... c)with whom you have a strong friendship
3. When you develop romantic feelings for another person, you're... b) falling in love
4. If only one of the two people has romantic feelings, we say the feeling is not... a) mutual
5. A polite way to say you're not attracted to someone is: "He/she's not my..." c) type
6. A man who marries a woman who he met when both were very young, has married his childhood...
c) sweetheart
7. When two people get married, they make a a) commitment to each other.
8. Many men try to find a creative and romantic way to a) propose to their girlfriends.
9. A lot of marriages end when one member of the couple has an... a) affair
10. If you catch your significant other in bed with another person, then he/she is b) cheating on you.
Lesson 3 Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
This moisturizer will give you a radiant complexion.
She has a slender waist and wide hips.
He bears a striking resemblance to a good friend of mine.
I've never liked my curly hair; I wish it was straight.
His deep-set eyes make him look very pensive.
I love men with facial hair - I think it's sexy.
Would you please comb your hair? It looks like you've just gotten out of bed.
I'm not changing my hairstyle – I’m just getting a trim.
He has a medium build - he's not particularly strong, but not especially skinny either.
My soccer coach has very muscular legs.
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Lesson 4 – Quiz Answers
1. A lot of successful entrepreneurs have not only a vivid imagination, but also the willingness to
work hard.
2. He really hurt my feelings when he called me an idiot.
3. His superiority complex makes him impossible to work with because he won't listen to
suggestions.
4. I had to swallow my pride and apologize to Janet for overreacting to her criticism.
5. I like to date men with a great sense of humor.
6. In some cultures, it's considered very rude to speak your mind.
7. It's good to put others first, but not at the expense of your own well-being.
8. Most people who work as comedians have very outgoing personalities.
9. My brother is painfully shy, but I'm trying to encourage him to come out of his shell.
10. My daughter gets along with her classmates, but she has a competitive streak when it comes to
academics.
11. My husband forgives other people very easily; he's not one to bear a grudge.
12. She would never cheat on her husband; she's fiercely loyal to him.
13. The kids were suspended for playing a prank on the teacher - they put a live snake inside her
desk.
14. Working with a therapist has helped me overcome my problems with low self-esteem.
15. You need to develop a thicker skin; you can't let every little comment upset you.
Lesson 5 Quiz Answers
1. At his mother's funeral, he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he couldn't finish his speech.
2. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent customer service - that company really cares about
its customers.
3. I'm sorry I lost my temper with you yesterday. It was a really stressful day at work.
4. Instead of confronting his issues, he bottles up his emotions and tries to pretend everything's
OK.
5. It's normal to go through a roller coaster of emotions after the end of a long-term relationship.
6. My mother was worried sick when it passed midnight and my brother still hadn't come home.
7. The boss was visibly annoyed when the employees told him about the problems.
8. The fans were seething with anger when the team lost the game in the last 5 minutes.
9. We're terribly sorry, but we won't be able to go to your graduation.
10. We're immensely grateful for all the help you've given us in this project.
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Lesson 6 Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Her father paid the down payment on her apartment.
I can't stand living with my parents; I need a place of my own.
I hope the apartment is furnished, because I can't afford to buy appliances.
I was having so much fun during my semester abroad that I didn't feel homesick at all.
It's a ten- story building with two elevators.
My bedroom window overlooks the mountains.
My parents finished paying off their mortgage after 25 years.
This weekend I'm helping my cousin move into his new place.
We're going to need a more spacious apartment now that we're going to have a baby.
We're remodeling the bathroom, so you'll have to use the one on the second floor.
Lesson 7 Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
During the summer, our kids eat a lot of junk food - popcorn, candy, ice cream, cookies, etc.
He got food poisoning after eating some seafood from a street vendor.
I buy fresh produce at the farmer's market.
I drink in moderation; I don't like getting drunk.
I'm not a huge fan of Mexican cuisine. It's too spicy for me.
I've lost ten pounds so far while on this new diet.
Spinach is one of the most nourishing vegetables - it's full of vitamins and minerals.
That lasagna is delicious; I think I'll have another helping.
The food at this restaurant is all natural - they don't use any type of processed food.
We stopped driving to grab a quick snack at a roadside cafe.
Lesson 8 Quiz Answers
1. A movie from an amateur filmmaker was nominated for three awards at an international film
festival.
2. Did you see the trailer for the new Star Wars movie? It looks like it'll be awesome!
3. The opening scene of the movie is very violent.
4. I didn't like the end of the movie; it just didn't seem believable.
5. I enjoyed the book because I could really identify with the main character.
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
It was a very moving film - and it was based on a true story.
It's an enjoyable read, written in a humorous and relatable style.
Oh no! I lost a book that I borrowed from the library.
The documentary deals with a number of controversial topics.
The first movie was excellent, but the sequel got mediocre reviews.
The movie Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
We couldn't get a ticket for opening night - they were all sold out.
Lesson 9 Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
I can't stand that song; I don't know why it's such a hit.
I like the song, but I don't understand the lyrics.
I'm not really musically gifted, but I practice the violin every day.
It's such a catchy tune, I can't get it out of my head!
My cousin's band is going on tour next summer; they've lined up shows in eleven different
states.
Someone in the choir was singing off-key, and it sounded terrible.
The band's debut album was a huge success.
The DJ played some remixed tracks at the wedding reception.
The singer has attracted quite a devoted following in Korea - her concerts there are always sold
out.
The street musician sat on a park bench, strumming his guitar.
This music is so slow it's putting me to sleep. Let's listen to something with a more upbeat
tempo.
We're going to play a gig at the Jazz Club on Friday night.
Lesson 10 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Barbara has set a new world record, with 5 consecutive Olympic gold medals in judo.
Do you want to go hiking with us this weekend?
How long have you been playing football?
I played volleyball in college.
If a soccer game is tied, they do penalty kicks to determine the winner.
Jeff and Diana went rock climbing in the mountains.
My son wants to do karate.
Our team won third place in the basketball tournament.
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9. She's been doing gymnastics since she was 5 years old.
10. The baseball team was unable to make a comeback and lost the game 5-2.
11. The biker from Australia currently has the lead, but the bikers from Russia and Peru are
close behind.
12. The ice skater withdrew from the competition due to a knee injury.
13. The runners were stretching before the race began.
14. Tim Randall has achieved a personal best with his time of 23.04 seconds.
15. What was the final score of the baseball game?
Lesson 11 Quiz Answers
1. k
4. d
7. j
10. i
2. a
5. c
8. b
11. g
3. l
6. h
9. e
12. f
Lesson 12 Quiz Answers
1. After my computer was stolen, I was so glad I had backed up all my data on an external hard
drive.
2. Could I use your computer for a minute? I'd like to check my e-mail.
3. Do I need to install a special program to be able to view this video?
4. I burned you a CD of some of my favorite music.
5. I can't check the event schedule online because the conference website seems to be down.
6. If you want more space on your hard drive, you should delete old files that you no longer
need.
7. I'm trying to log into my account, but I can't remember the password.
8. More and more people are surfing the web on their cell phones nowadays.
9. My computer freezes when I have too many programs open at the same time.
10. Never open attachments from people you don't know - they could infect your computer
with a virus.
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11. The boss wants everyone to shut down their computers before leaving work.
12. You forgot to attach the file to your message.
Lesson 13 Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Christine has been a middle school teacher for many years.
Could you give me some feedback on my presentation? I'd like to know how to improve it.
He's applying to all the best universities in the country.
I think I got every question on the exam wrong - I have no doubt that I failed.
I'm taking a course on Latin American politics.
My daughter's 12 - she's in sixth grade.
My father promised he'd buy me a car if I got good grades in my final year of high school.
No, my son hasn't chosen a major yet. He's debating between sociology and anthropology.
She graduated from the University of California in 1999.
The professor took ten points off my test because I handed it in a few minutes late.
The top five students in the class were awarded a scholarship to a local college.
This topic will be on the test - make sure to take detailed notes.
Lesson 14 – Quiz Answers
1. I wasn't convinced by the article; I didn't think the author adequately supported his claims.
2. In her book, Clara Jones aims to refute the dominant theory using five main counterarguments.
3. Steve Jobs' leadership was a key factor in Apple's success.
4. The first draft of his report was full of factual errors.
5. The reasons for the war fall into two main categories: political reasons and economic
reasons.
6. The trajectory of the country after 1930 is a clear illustration of Smith's theory in action.
7. These thought-provoking poems raise questions about what it means to love
unconditionally.
8. This essay draws parallels between the main character in the novel and the author's life.
9. This paragraph has nothing to do with any of your main points, you should get rid of it.
10. We'd like to touch on several issues in today's meeting.
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Lesson 15 Quiz Answers
Melissa: Hi Terry, let's go over the list of people who have applied for the job.
Terry: Sure. There's Bob, who's fresh out of college and says this would be his "dream job."
Melissa: Although I admire his enthusiasm, this isn't an entry-level job - we really need someone with a
bit of experience.
Terry: Here's a resume from Dana - she's a freelance writer who's looking for a more stable way to earn
a living. Unfortunately, she mentions in her cover letter that she's not willing to work overtime because
she has two small kids at home.
Melissa: Hmm... this is a rather demanding job and sometimes we do need to work late. Let's not rule
her out, though. Who else is in the running?
Terry: There's Steven, a veteran reporter who's currently between jobs. He makes it clear in his cover
letter that he expects a competitive salary and generous benefits.
Melissa: He might be worth it. Why did he leave his last job?
Terry: Um, well, I checked his references and it turns out he was dismissed for sexual harassment of a
co-worker.
Melissa: Oh... that's not ideal. Do we have any other candidates?
Terry: None who are particularly qualified - there's a marketing consultant looking for a career change,
and a few people who apparently didn't read the job description and sent us generic letters.
Melissa: Maybe we could offer Dana the job, and if it's too much work for her to handle, we could have
Bob do an internship to help her out. We could only afford to pay him minimum wage, but he might
find the experience rewarding.
Terry: OK – let’s interview both of them next week.
Lesson 16 Quiz Answers
Growing up, I always knew that my father expected me to run the family farming business someday but I really wanted to set up my own company. Plus, my dad was terrible at managing his finances, and
his business was constantly on the verge of going bankrupt
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I didn't want to be a rival to my parents' company, so I opened a small supermarket in a neighboring
town and hired / signed / drew two employees. We made a deal with my father, agreeing that he would
be our primary supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables. Despite the tough competition in the sector, our
little store managed to break even its first year in operation.
Our market research showed that there was a big demand for organic food in the area, so we began
offering primarily organic products and raised our prices. Some of our customers took their business
elsewhere, but others came from miles away due to our reputation for excellent products and friendly
customer service.
Last fall, we launched our own line of organic fruit juices, and that's when things really started to take
off. We opened up a café next door to the supermarket, and business is booming.
With the profit we're making, we can now invest in expansion and open a branch in another city. We're
even doing business internationally - I'm about to sign a contract with an organic coffee supplier from
South America.
Lesson 17 Quiz Answers
1. I lent Bill $20; he says he'll pay me back next week.
2. Excuse me, it's none of your business how much money I make.
3. Greenpeace raised five million dollars to help preserve the Atlantic rainforest.
4. How much of my income should I invest, and how much should I put into savings?
5. I can't believe I wasted $10 on a calculator that doesn't even work!
6. I didn't have enough savings to pay my college tuition, so I had to take out a student loan.
7. Sometimes your employer can pay your salary by making a deposit directly in your bank
account.
8. I really admire rich people who donate a large portion of their wealth to charity.
9. I try not to eat out at restaurants too often; I'm trying to save money.
10. Let's exchange money here at the airport so that we can get a taxi to the hotel.
11. My son earned $50 for taking care of the neighbor's dogs over the weekend.
12. We need to make a budget so that we don't end up spending more than we earn.
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Sentence Matching
1. j
6. d
2. e
7. g
3. f
8. h
4. b
9. c
5. a
10. i
Lesson 18 – Quiz Answers
1. Are you checking any bags today?
2. Hello, I need to change the dates of my hotel reservation.
3. I always try to get a window seat on long flights.
4. I won't be in the office next week - I'll be on a business trip.
5. On their honeymoon, Will and Cassie spent a week at a five-star hotel.
6. Sorry, sir, but your carry-on bag is too heavy.
7. The gate number is printed on your boarding pass.
8. The layover was only 30 minutes – I had to run to catch my connecting flight!
9. The rooms of the hotel were nice, but the fitness center was rather dingy
10. The travel agency is offering a great deal on a 5-day package in Miami.
11. We felt sick on the plane because the flight was really bumpy.
12. You should book your flight now, before prices go up.
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Lesson 19 – Quiz Answers
Now it's time for your weather forecast. Right now we have mild weather, with clear skies and a light
wind from the east. It's perfect weather for a walk in the park. There will be some scattered showers
overnight, but it the rain should let up by tomorrow morning.
Saturday will be partly cloudy and oppressively hot. We might even see a record high temperature. The
muggy weather continues into Sunday, with storm clouds forming in the late afternoon. On Monday
we'll have some wild weather, with torrential rain and high winds.
We're seeing heavy clouds and a few snow flurries right now, but we have some nasty winter weather
ahead, with icy winds and record low temperatures at night. Be careful if you go out in the driving snow,
especially if you're on a road where the snow hasn't yet been cleared. The snow will probably thaw next
week, as we're expecting some unseasonably warm weather.
Lesson 20 Quiz Answers
1. f
6. d
2. a
7. h
3. e
8. j
4. g
9. c
5. b
10. i
Lesson 21 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
Don't bother going to the village - it's not worth the trip, there's really nothing to see.
From our window, we had an unobstructed view of the castle up on the mountain.
If you want more privacy, there's a secluded beach an hour's drive outside the city.
Moving from New York City to a small farm in the midwest was quite a dramatic change of
scenery.
5. The all-day boat trip leaves at 7 AM every morning and takes you to 5 different islands.
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The hikers tried to find the trail through the dense forest.
The stream is quite shallow - the water only comes up to your ankles.
This mountain range extends north to Canada.
We went bird-watching in the wildlife preserve.
You can't get there by car; you have to take the footpath.
Lesson 22 - Quiz Answers
One of my favorite TV shows is about detectives who investigate unsolved crimes. In the last episode,
they were looking into a murder that had happened over ten years ago. The suspect who was arrested
at the time was the victim's ex-boyfriend and had a long criminal record - but he proved his innocence
with a watertight alibi.
The detectives then began to investigate the person who had found the girl's body and reported the
crime. He had never broken the law, but a man who matched his description had been accused of an
attempted kidnapping of another young woman around the same time.
The police called him in for questioning, and the alibi that he provided didn't match the one on record.
They then gathered DNA evidence from the new suspect, and it proved that he had indeed committed
the crime. It took more than ten years, but justice was finally served!
Lesson 23 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
After being released from prison, Jim found it hard to get a job.
Although everyone believes she's guilty, the evidence was too inconclusive for a conviction.
Due to his links to terrorist groups, Mr. Smith represents a threat to society.
He was declared innocent by a unanimous jury.
I couldn't believe what a light sentence she got - a mere 30 days in jail!
I don't support the death penalty - I think everyone deserves a chance to change.
Patty and her ex-husband are involved in a prolonged legal battle over the ownership of
their house.
Ron will stand trial for an assault charge after hitting his girlfriend.
The banking executive was charged with fraud.
The U.S. government just passed a new law about immigration.
There was concrete evidence that the doctor had falsified the records.
They haven't yet reached a verdict in the kidnapping case.
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Lesson 24 – Quiz Answers
Special report:
Tensions are rising between the residents of Earth and Mars, causing some to speculate that the fragile
peace between the two planets may soon come to an end. The latest round of violence erupted when
Martian soldiers stationed at the Martian embassy on Earth opened fire on a group of Earth residents
who were protesting outside the consulate.
Although war has not been declared, both planets are ready to react if the other launches an offensive.
There are rumors that Mars has been stockpiling illegal weapons to defend itself from Earth’s much
better-equipped military.
Diplomats from both planets are doing everything possible to bring stability to the situation, but there
are concerns that radical extremist groups on Earth may be planning an unprovoked attack for the
express purpose of causing a war to break out.
Everyone remembers the horrors of the last interplanetary war, in which the decisive battle resulted in
hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties and a large number of refugees who fled to the colony on
the Moon.
Even after a ceasefire was negotiated, isolated incidents of violence against Martian citizens brought the
two planets to the brink of war several times. The president of Earth has authorized the recruitment and
training of additional peacekeeping forces; however, a lasting peace continues to be a complicated issue
for our Solar System.
Lesson 25 – Quiz Answers
Jim: If I'm elected, my number one priority will be alleviating poverty. A large portion of our country's
population lives below the poverty line, and it's a fact that young people from disadvantaged
backgrounds are more likely to engage in criminal activity. My opponent, on the other hand, wants to
cut funding for the welfare program and leave millions of people without help.
George: I believe it is a mistake to focus on our country alone; we must remember that we are part of a
global community. Opening up more homeless shelters is not a long-term solution to help those on the
margins of society. However, investing in clean energy will enable us to grow our economy without
harming the environment. This will benefit our country and our world.
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Jim: That's a noble goal, but we have more pressing problems. I seriously doubt our citizens who are
dying of hunger care about protecting endangered species and preventing global warming. Plus, it's not
scientifically proven that humans can even cause irreparable damage to the planet.
George: Don't you see that the two issues are related? Due to climate change, the rain patterns have
changed and our agricultural sector is not as strong as it once was. This results in food shortages. It's
only going to get worse unless we end our dependence on fossil fuels and start using renewable
resources.
Lesson 26 – Quiz Answers
1. He worked on fixing the computer for two solid hours before giving up and calling tech
support.
2. He's always in a rush; he never has time to chat.
3. I have a grueling schedule this semester - classes from Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM!
4. I left the assignment to the last minute and then stayed up all night to write it.
5. In my spare time, I like to read.
6. Organizing all these files is very time- consuming; I wish I had someone to help me.
7. Sarah cut back on her hours as she entered her eighth month of pregnancy.
8. She's a fitness nut; she spends ten hours a week at the gym.
9. Take as much time as you need to review this information - we don't need a response right
away.
10. The amount of time my daughter spends on her cell phone is unbelievable.
11. The company is offering training in time management to improve the efficiency of its staff.
12. There is a strict deadline for the delivery of this shipment - it must arrive by January 1,
otherwise we'll lose the contract.
13. There's a slowdown on highway I-84 due to rush hour traffic.
14. We've fallen behind on our English lessons; the class is on Lesson 10 but we're on Lesson 6.
15. You need to schedule your dentist appointment two weeks in advance.
Lesson 27 Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A loud noise woke me up from my nap.
His cell phone makes an annoying noise every time he gets a text message.
I could tell Dan was still mad, as he glared at me in stony silence.
I wasn't able to relax on the beach because some teenagers had a stereo with music blaring.
It was perfectly silent inside the old, abandoned house.
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
It's oddly quiet in that classroom - are the students taking a test?
My neighbor's dogs start barking whenever someone walks past their house.
She sang a lullaby softly to help put the baby to sleep.
The constant noise in the office makes it difficult to concentrate.
The conversation on their first date was full of awkward silences.
Lesson 28 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
A large percentage of the human body is made up of water.
Choosing whether or not to have children is a big decision.
I'll have a hamburger and a large milkshake.
My wedding ring has tiny little diamonds embedded in it.
The biggest challenge in losing weight is changing your eating habits.
The number of people buying CDs is getting smaller every year as MP3s become more
popular.
The police have released little information about the case.
There was a big mistake in the report; we'll have to print a revised copy.
These jeans are too small for me.
This foundation provides grants for small businesses in developing countries.
This new policy will affect a large number of our employees.
We had a lovely little picnic by the lake.
Lesson 29 – Quiz Answers
Amanda knelt in an enclave of the seventeenth-century church and said a silent prayer. The church was
completely dark except for the dozens of flickering candles which lit up the image of Mary, mother of
Jesus. Amanda enjoyed the quiet, sacred atmosphere of these ancient cathedrals much more than the
bright lighting and loud music of modern churches.
She lit a candle in honor of her grandmother and left the church, shielding her eyes from the blinding
afternoon sunlight. She climbed a hill near the city and sat in the shade of an enormous oak tree, where
she remained lost in thought until the sky began to grow dark.
The crescent moon rose over the mountains and the stars twinkled the mostly clear sky. Amanda could
see the street lights and the faint glow of a television set through the window of each house. She
decided to maintain her vigil until the sun came up.
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Lesson 30 – Quiz Answers
Cassandra is wearing a fiery orange blouse and a royal blue skirt - those certainly are very bold colors!
Here comes Susan, wearing a long, light pink dress and ruby red heels. Those pastel colors look
wonderful with her skin tone / type.
The designer of the next outfit is known for his highly innovative style... Joanne is wearing an emerald
green top and olive green shorts - hmmm... in my opinion the two different shades of green don't look
so great together. They kind of clash.
Up next is Tanya, with a retro-style greenish-blue dress with some lemon yellow details - very
interesting look, although the colors might not suit everybody. Finally we have Ashley, who's wearing a
sexy dark purple dress with a golden yellow belt, a matching purse, and sky blue heels - that's quite
unusual, but the overall visual effect is stunning.
Lesson 31 – Quiz Answers
1. g
4. e
7. k
10. b
2. h
5. a
8. i
11. c
3. j
6. l
9. d
12. f
Lesson 32 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
I can't stand the pervasive odor of smoke in that bar.
I love the familiar smell of my grandmother's chicken soup.
I sensed the distinctive smell of frying onions.
She breathed in the earthy fragrance of the forest.
Something in the fridge smells rancid - like rotting meat.
The bathroom smells so fresh right after it's been cleaned!
The smell of vomit lingered in the hospital room.
There was a faint smell of alcohol on his breath.
This wine has a light fruity aroma.
Your sweaty gym clothes smell nasty.
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Lesson 34 – Quiz Answers
The sharp rise in obesity is a major cause for concern. A significant percentage of adults are now
overweight, and the number of children with weight problems is also going up. This crisis is partly due
to the widespread consumption of processed foods with high amounts of fat and sugar. We're exposed
to an excessive number of advertisements that keep encouraging us to consume more and more food
with less and less nutritional value.
Other contributing factors to the obesity epidemic include a gradual increase in portion sizes and a drop
in the average amount of physical exercise practiced by the population. A miniscule number of kids
nowadays play sports; instead, they prefer to spend a considerable amount of time in front of
computers, TVs, and video games.
Health problems caused by excess weight have resulted in a dramatic increase in health care costs, and
although the life expectancy has remained steady over the past 30 years, we can expect to see a decline
if the trend of over-eating and under-exercising continues.
Lesson 35 – Quiz Answers
1. o
4. i
7. h
10. n
13. f
2. k
5. j
8. b
11. g
14. m
3. c
6. e
9. a
12. l
15. d
Lesson 36 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
After losing his job, George decided to become a consultant.
Daniel is embarrassed that he's starting to go bald, so he often wears a hat.
Her face turns red when she gets embarrassed.
He's not going to change his mind. He seems pretty firm in his decision.
I like to experiment in the kitchen - I make tweaks to the recipes in the cookbook.
I'll be ready in 10 minutes - just let me change my clothes.
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7. I'm getting annoyed with my bank's terrible customer service.
8. My conversations with my sister always turn into arguments.
9. We have fewer funds available than we expected, so we need to make some adjustments to
the budget.
10. If you want to get better at playing the piano, you should practice more.
Lesson 37 – Quiz Answers
1. After the last argument I had with my brother, we didn't speak to each other for months.
2. At my college graduation, a famous entrepreneur made a speech about the importance of
innovation.
3. Bill went on and on about his weekend fishing trip - I really didn't need to know all the
details!
4. Can I ask you a favor? I need a ride to the doctor's office tomorrow morning.
5. Dave apologized profusely for forgetting about our appointment.
6. During a lull in the conversation, she excused herself to go make a phone call.
7. Have I ever told you the story of how I met my husband?
8. I don't like networking events - spending hours trying to make small talk with strangers just
isn't my cup of tea.
9. I had a brief chat with my manager and gave him an update on the project.
10. I struck up a conversation with a woman at the library, and she gave me some interesting
book recommendations.
11. Jim and Nicole had a lengthy discussion about the best school to put their children in.
12. John may have stretched the truth a bit when talking about how successful his company is.
13. My father doesn't talk a lot; when he has something to say, he gets straight to the point.
14. My mother taught me always to speak with a respectful tone of voice.
15. Rachel's sarcastic remarks kept making me laugh during the movie.
16. Sally has been dropping hints that she's interested in Kevin.
17. Telling lies may be convenient at the time, but it can get you into trouble later.
Lesson 38 – Quiz Answers
1. As the concert drew to a close, the lead singer thanked the fans for their support.
2. I like moving to a new city because you can make a fresh start.
3. It rained continuously for the first three days we were in Miami - a bit of a disappointing
start to our vacation.
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4. My son got a job working directly under a prominent businessman. It's a very promising
start to his career.
5. Our kids are sad that their summer vacation is coming to an end.
6. The artist put the finishing touches on her painting.
7. The back injury put a sudden end to his tennis career.
8. The famous athlete talked about his humble beginnings on his town's local basketball team.
9. The negotiations got off to a shaky start, as neither side was willing to even consider the
other's proposal.
10. There seems to be no end in sight to the country's political conflicts.
Lesson 39 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Edward certainly won my respect when he turned down an unethical business deal.
Efforts to reduce teen pregnancy through better sex education have seen modest success.
Getting a new haircut has made a dramatic improvement in his overall appearance.
I made a real breakthrough in my English when I started practicing listening more often.
I wanted to try waterskiing, but I lost my nerve and ended up staying inside the boat.
I'm not a complete pacifist; I just believe war should be the last resort.
Immigration reform was the crowning achievement of the president's term in office.
My attempts at losing weight have failed miserably - in fact, I've gained a few pounds!
My girlfriend really brings out the best in me - I'm a better person thanks to our
relationship.
Putting inexperienced teachers into the country's worst schools is a recipe for disaster.
Researchers have invented a new, highly effective treatment for leukemia.
The company's advertising campaign was a spectacular failure - it didn't attract a single new
customer.
The new movie has been a phenomenal success, with billions of dollars in ticket sales.
There's a lot of room for improvement in his writing skills.
We thought the repairs on the car would cost about $500, but our estimate was way off the
mark - it was $4000.
Lesson 40 – Quiz Answers
1. An earthquake has caused extensive damage in the countryside.
2. Everyone was surprised by the unexpected outcome of the presidential election.
3. Food additives may be one of the underlying causes of the rising incidence of cancer.
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4. I'd like to see some concrete results from your work - so far, all you've presented are
theories.
5. New regulations on pollution have unfortunately had a negligible effect on water
contamination levels.
6. Parents are concerned about the long-term effects of kids playing violent video games.
7. Paulo Coelho's books have had a profound impact on my life.
8. The company's financial problems are the inevitable result of years of poor management.
9. The increase in gang violence in the neighborhood is cause for alarm.
10. The medication I'm taking has a few unpleasant side effects.
11. The singer caused a huge uproar when he announced he was leaving the band.
12. We need to find the root cause of our employees' lack of motivation.
Lesson 41 – Memories
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Did you put my jacket somewhere? I distinctly remember leaving it here on this chair.
He racked his brain, but he couldn't think of the password to his online bank account.
I have fond memories of summer camp when I was a kid - I looked forward to it every year.
I vaguely remember reading that book... remind me how exactly it ended?
If I pause while giving a presentation, my mind goes blank and I have to look at my notes.
I'm constantly reminding myself to sit with good posture.
I'm studying a beginner English grammar book to refresh my memory of the basics.
My boss has a terrible memory, so he keeps track of all his appointments on a calendar on
his cell phone.
Oh no! I completely forgot that today is my wife's birthday. I need a present - quick!
All the circus performers were great, but I thought the acrobats were particularly
memorable.
Rachel gently reminded me that I still needed to e-mail her the information.
Seeing my ex-boyfriend made all the memories of our relationship come flooding back.
She has traumatic memories of the time she was robbed while walking home alone at night.
Taking a helicopter ride over New York City was an unforgettable experience.
The monument is a sobering reminder of how many innocent people died in the war.
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Lesson 42 – Quiz Answers
1. I agree in principle that we need to spend less time on our iPhones... but I can't seem to
stop using mine!
2. I am worlds apart from my parents when it comes to our religious views.
3. I totally agree with the company's decision to relax the dress code for employees.
4. I'm afraid I disagree with your analysis; I think you've overlooked some important points.
5. My best friend and I have always been able to settle our disagreements without fighting.
6. My roommates and I reached a compromise about cleaning the apartment.
7. She agreed wholeheartedly with my suggested changes to the design.
8. Some people prefer to argue indefinitely rather than trying to resolve the conflict.
9. The other students share my opinion that the teacher is not very knowledgeable.
10. The soccer players had a major disagreement with the referee.
11. Those two countries have a long-running dispute over that particular territory.
12. Tom and Larry had a slight disagreement about where to park the car.
13. We agree with your plans up to a point, but we think you should reconsider a few aspects.
Lesson 43 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Aaron is so arrogant; he seems to have an unshakable belief in his own superiority.
After further consideration, we decided to buy a van rather than a car.
Although I was hired for the job, I still have a nagging doubt about whether or not I'm truly
qualified for it.
Bill Clinton's affair cast doubt on his honesty as a president.
Contrary to popular belief, blonde and blue-eyed Brazilians do exist.
Don't let your fears color your judgment.
I hate it when people make assumptions about me based on my skin color.
I have a sneaking suspicion that my friends are planning a surprise birthday party for me.
I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you have a subconscious belief that you don't deserve success, then you'll probably never
attain it.
Meeting an 80-year-old professional athlete strengthened my belief that age is no limit!
The evidence proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Carson was guilty of the crime.
The results of the customer satisfaction survey lead us to the conclusion that our service needs to
be improved.
There's a common misconception that tomatoes are vegetables - but they're technically fruits.
We voiced doubts about the feasibility of the plan, but our colleagues said we were worrying too
much.
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Lesson 44 - Quiz Answers
Choosing which college to attend was tough. I was considering 12 different universities, and every
person who I asked for advice gave me a different suggestion. I remained undecided until a week before
the deadline, when my parents reminded me that if I didn't make my decision soon, I would have no
choice but to wait another year before reapplying. My mother told me to trust my intuition, and I
decided to take her advice - but the college I most wanted to go to was also the most expensive, and I
started having second thoughts. I discussed the issue in-depth with my dad, and he helped me weigh
the possible outcomes of taking out student loans. In the end, I chose to go to a less expensive university
that was also excellent - though I had to defend my decision from my grandmother, who had wanted
me to go to the "best" college in the country. The next choice I'll have to make is what area to major in I really have no idea, so I'm going to keep my options open as long as possible!
Lesson 45 – Quiz Answers
1. A leaked document shows that the U.S. is planning to build additional military bases in
Central America.
2. A lot of people believe the completely unfounded claims they read on the internet, and
never actually research the issue.
3. In the interview, the director heavily implied that there would be a sequel to the film.
4. My cousin wanted to give me a job at his restaurant, but I refused the offer.
5. Some parents are openly accusing the teacher of favoritism in the classroom.
6. That university is widely acknowledged to be the best place in the world to study law.
7. The corporation laid off 10,000 workers, fueling speculation that it is close to bankruptcy.
8. The human resources manager denies the allegations that the company hired illegal
immigrants.
9. The police are facing accusations of using excessive violence to arrest a teenager, after some
witnesses filmed the situation on their cell phones.
10. The sports team issued a statement apologizing for the athlete's offensive behavior.
11. The tabloid magazines are spreading the rumor that the actress is pregnant.
12. Whenever my brother calls me "just to say hi," there's always an ulterior motive - usually he
needs to borrow some money.
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Lesson 46 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Brian took an instant dislike to his father's new girlfriend.
I hate soap operas with a passion; I don't understand why anyone would watch that trash.
I have nothing but contempt for parents who abandon their children.
I was sad when my parents gave away my childhood toys; I had grown quite attached to
them.
I'm a great admirer of your poetry - it's really inspiring.
Life is Beautiful is my all-time favorite movie.
My grandfather is a lifelong fan of his old college basketball team.
My husband has an irrational hatred of cats.
Some people don't like their parents, but I hold mine in the highest regard.
The customers have a clear preference for inexpensive products.
Lesson 47 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Her parents refused to give their blessing to her marriage to a man from a different culture.
I enthusiastically support the campaign for humane treatment of farm animals.
My son is my parents’ only grandchild, so of course they think the world of him.
Some men will do anything to win the approval of the woman they love.
That course seems excellent - everyone who takes it speaks very highly of it.
The actress' outstanding performance in the film won her an Oscar.
The article made some scathing criticisms of the corruption in the country's political system.
The author's new book received a barrage of criticism from people who disagree with her
philosophy.
9. The manager countered criticism that he was overspending by showing how the investments
would grow the business' profit in the future.
10. We heartily approve of your proposal.
Lesson 48 – Quiz Answers
1. A new TV show has sparked controversy by showing the positive side of dropping out of
college.
2. A wave of disappointment came over me when I heard that the show had been canceled.
3. Having lots of pets as I was growing up kindled my interest in studying veterinary medicine.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Her face lit up when I asked her about the award she'd recently won.
I was thrilled to see a romance blossoming between two of my best friends.
My grandmother remembers the dark days of the civil war.
The boxer dodged his opponent's punch and threw a lightning fast counterattack.
The city's efforts to cut down on pollution are finally bearing fruit.
The legality of abortion is a thorny issue involving questions of human life, women's rights,
and societal responsibility.
10. Hundreds of people poured into the store the moment the doors opened.
Lesson 49 – Quiz Answers
1. As the movie drew to a close, there were some surprising twists in the story.
2. He slammed his book shut and stormed out of the room.
3. I have so many different projects, it's hard to keep track of everything that needs to be
done.
4. I love shopping - I spend several hundred dollars on new clothes every month.
5. I was thrilled that my daughter won first place in the skating competition.
6. I've kept in touch with my childhood friends for over 30 years.
7. Last week, he spent two days in the hospital recovering from surgery.
8. Let's take the highway, not the local roads - it'll save time.
9. My son is saving up money to buy a new video game system.
10. No thanks, I don't want any chocolate cake. I'm trying to avoid gaining weight.
11. Some people earn outrageous salaries considering how little work they do!
12. The supermarket is closed on Sundays.
13. The Union forces won the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
14. This is a part-time job; you'll earn about $700 a month.
15. Volunteering as a teacher's assistant enabled me to gain experience in the classroom.
16. We prefer to pay our bills electronically; it's much more convenient.
Lesson 50 – Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Are you getting married in a church?
Billy got drunk and started making really stupid comments.
He smiled when I paid him a compliment.
He took a quick shower after his workout.
I can't seem to break the habit of procrastination.
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
I caught a glimpse of the wolf before it disappeared into the forest.
I'm coming close to my limit of cell phone minutes for the month.
I'm going to take a computer class.
I'm taking care of my sister's kids this weekend.
It took years for his family to come to terms with his sexual orientation.
Let's catch the 6 AM train.
Our kids had a blast at the amusement park.
Regina is going to have a baby next month.
She was disqualified for breaking the rules of the competition.
The car engine caught fire after the accident.
The doctor broke the news to me that I'd need another operation.
The new policy will come into effect next Monday.
We haven't seen Frank in a long time. Let's pay him a visit soon.
We're having dinner right now; can I call you back later?
You're not paying attention - look at me when I'm talking to you!
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